Army raises the alarm over plans to discredit its operations Calls for adequate budgetary allocation

The Nigerian Army has raised the alarm over plans by some groups in the country to discredit it in its efforts to fight insurgency in the northern part of Nigeria. The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig-General Olajide Laleye, who raised the alarm on Wednesday during a press briefing in Abuja, alleged that the groups and their collaborators were labelling the army as a corrupt organisation. According to him, “it has been observed lately that despite all these efforts, the Nigerian Army has been under a deliberate and concerted effort by some individuals, bodies, organisations to tarnish the good image which so far has remained the pride of the nation. “These groups and their international collaborators are trying hard to portray the Nigerian military as corrupt, with myriads of problems and challenges ranging from morale of troops, equipment and troops welfare. “These are smear campaigns calculated to undermine the numerous achievements and corporate existence of the Nigerian Army. The Nigerian Army as one of the binding forces of the unity of our country is far from being weak and ineffective.” Laleye stated that salaries and allowances of the troops were paid as at when due, contrary to insinuations from some quarters that their
morale was down because they were not well motivated and equipped. “The Nigerian Army categorically affirmed that all troops’ pays and allowances are paid as at when due and including the month of May, 2014. Therefore, I am appealing to all that if there are factual cases of corruption or dereliction of duty against the Nigerian Army, any officer or soldier, such reports should be made available to the authority rather than blanket accusation,” he said. The Army spokesman urged Nigerians not allow some groups or individuals who have aligned themselves with outside forces to cause disaffection between them and the security forces, urging people to give constructive criticism. “The Nigerian Army avers that it is not a perfect organisation, as such where factual allegations are received, they would be promptly investigated and decisively acted upon with visible results. To that end, Nigerian Army welcomes constructive criticisms which will surely result in better service delivery to its people,” he said. According to him, “the war on terrorism is a global war that evokes citizens’ civic responsibility. Nigerian citizens have a role to play in this war and the Nigerian media also have a role to play.” He added: “No country in the world diminishes its armed forces” and win the fight against terrorism, noting that a section of the Nigerian media was being used to discredit its armed forces. “The media in those countries uphold their national security first.” Speaking on the current efforts by the Nigerian Army to combat terrorism, Olaleye said that the army had embarked on recruitment to increase the manpower in the army. “As part of the annual manpower requirements of the Nigerian Army, there will be a recruitment exercise of qualified able-bodied Nigerian men into the army. The exercise has since commenced with online registration of all interested persons and will terminate on June 21, 2014,” Olaleye said. He further explained that “those recruited will be trained, after which they will form part of the force to undertake campaign in the North-East zone. Therefore only those prepared to fight for the fatherland should volunteer.” Meanwhile, the Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army), Major-General Abdullahi Muraina, has attributed inadequate finance to the reasons the Army could not fight the suspected Boko Haram insurgents. While speaking at the opening ceremony of a training programme for the Nigeriaan Army Finance Corps Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned at Jaji, he said that soldiers could not meet these security challenges, adding that “currently, budgetary allocation for the military is inadequate to meet the contemporary security challenges and also cater for the welfare of the Nigerian Army.” He said apart from limitations of the envelope system, the Nigerian Army was enmeshed in the bureaucratic bottlenecks for funding approvals for military operations. “This calls for a review as the increasing speed at which the effects of conflicts appear in the operational environment will continue to challenge commanders. “It is our humble appeal that that the government could evolve other means of funding and supporting military operations other than the normal budgetary allocations. “Such means include but not limited to strategic cooperation and liaison with other civil industries for the production of uniforms and other equipment. “A special operation fund could be included in defence budget and placed under the control of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS),” he said. Meanwhile, the Delta State governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has said that President Goodluck Jonathan will emerge stronger from the present security challenges facing the country. Speaking when he played host to the president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Revd (Dr)Felix Omobude, in Asaba on Wednesday, Governor Uduaghan admitted that Nigeria was facing serious challenges, but noted that President Jonathan would emerge as a better leader from the challenges. “President Jonathan is passing through heat right, now but he will come out stronger, more acceptable and a greater leader,” the governor said.