DHQ disowns soldiers displaying Buhari’s campaign sign

Andrew Orolua, Abuja

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has disassociated itself from the pictures of four armed men dressed in military camouflage displaying 4 by 4 fingers campaign sign of a political party. A statement signed by Acting Director Defence Information, Brigadier General John Agim, stated that the Armed Forces is not a political party, urging members of the public to disregard the video which has been trending online. General Agim described the video as one of the many strategies targeted at breaking the cohesion and the fighting spirit of the troops by people it referred to as “fifth columnists”, whose only objective is to collaborate with enemies of our nation to prolong their own organisational interests”. He said that the pictures of the four men “doing 4 by 4 fingers sign connoting a campaign symbol of a political party were being investigated to ascertain the true identity of the men in the photograph”. “If it is found out that they are military personnel, they will be sanctioned according to extant rules and regulations. “The Nigerian Armed Forces is stating categorically here that its fighting spirit is indomitable and no amount of falsehood can distract the military from fighting terrorism to a conclusive end,” the statement said. The statement read in full: ”The Defence Headquarters wishes to respond to a trending video clip and story alleging that the soldiers fighting BOKO HARAM terrorists beg for food and sleep in classrooms. There is nothing farther from the truth than the story. “The Defence Headquarters hereby draw the attention of the media and the general public to activities of fifth columnists whose only objective is to collaborate with enemies of our nation to prolong their own organisational interests. The story/video is one of their many strategies targeted at breaking the cohesion and the fighting spirit of the troops. “It is a known fact that all over the world, the battlefront is not a playground. What differentiates soldiers from civilians is the ability to endure hard conditions and make sacrifices. Same goes for accommodation at the battlefront as the soldiers are either on the move or in trenches. Accommodation where necessary, are makeshift and not expected to be luxurious. That is the reality and price of the Military profession. There is no easy way. “For those who may not know, there is no barracks in Sambisa forest and several other troops’ locations in the North East. Also, troops are promptly paid approved operational allowances aside other welfare and administrative arrangements. Whereas there may be challenges in the battle-space which is normal, appropriate measures are being taken to address them. “The story is a failed attempt to distract the purposeful direction in the counter-terrorism fight. “The Nigerian Armed Forces is stating categorically here that its fighting spirit is indomitable and no amount of falsehood can distract the military from fighting terrorism to a conclusive end. The public is hereby enjoined to disregard the publication and continue to give the military the needed support and cooperation. Together we shall bring total peace and security to our fatherland.”