Stop psychological attack on fighting soldiers, Army charges Nigerians as Niger’s army killed more than 280 Boko Haram
The Nigerian Army (NA) says psychological weapons are being used by some Nigerians to attack soldiers fighting the war against insurgency in the North East and therefore warned those engaging in such acts to desist forthwith.
According to a statement Thursday morning signed by the Director, Army Public Relations, Gen. Sani K Usman, the Army have observed with concern, the recent negative reportage and criticisms of her activities in the social and mainstream media especially as it relates to equipment and attacks on troops’ locations in Operation LAFIYA DOLE.
Gen Usman said it is further observed that some individuals and groups in and outside Nigeria have been making false claims and allegations that Boko Haram terrorists are better equipped than the Armed Forces Nigeria (AFN).
“Nothing can be further from the truth as the AFN have universally accepted doctrines, are better trained, equipped and well -motivated. Therefore, there is no basis for comparison between the Nigerian soldier and the Boko Haram terrorists. Whereas the Nigerian military system is voluntary and enlistment or commission are borne out of patriotism and love for the country, the terrorists on the other hand are indoctrinated and in most cases coerced to take up arms against the state and humanity.” Gen SK Usman said. He added that these issues are further exacerbated by a section of the media, possibly at the behest of some disgruntled elements in the society.
“The attacks on Nigerian Army troops are not as a result of superior arms or equipment, rather it is due to the use of psychological weapon which is as good as any lethal weapons. The psychological attacks have been further aggravated by some unpatriotic elements in the society that take joy and pride in propagating such falsehoods.” he said.
He said it is surprising that some Nigerians, for whatever mundane reasons, would compare a group of confused and misguided elements operating under the influence of drugs and warped ideologies to Nigerian Army troops.
“It will be necessary to observe that unlike the Nigerian Army, the terrorists live amongst the populace and used that opportunity to spread their propaganda. Nigerian Army fights according to set down Rules Of Engagement while the Boko Haram Terrorist does not. Also, while the Nigerian Army seeks to protect lives and properties, the renegades seek to destroy same.” The Army Spokesman said.
“Our conviction is that these negative comments about the Nigerian Army are aimed at demoralizing the troops and breaking its cohesion. They are borne out of selfish, political and unpatriotic reasons with a view to bringing down the government of the day. We totally condemn and reject the insinuations that the Boko Haram Terrorists are better equipped than the Nigerian Army. Rather, we are bold to say and re-affirm that Nigerian Army troops are better trained, equipped and better motivated than the rag-tag Boko Haram Terrorists. Indeed, there are no basis for comparison.” Gen SK said.
“Unfortunately, the psychological attacks are not being waged against the Nigerian Army by the Boko Haram Terrorists alone but also by some misguided elements both within and out of the country, either under the guise of humanitarian and Human Rights concerns or low morale. Far from that, most of these false allegations were based on selfish and mostly political reasons by unpatriotic elements. Despite extant rules, these group of persons discuss highly classified military issues which they are mostly ignorant about on various media platforms. Indeed, those who should know better are the ones perpetrating these acts.” he said.
Meanwhile the defence ministry of a sister country, Niger Republic says it recorded massive victory of insurgency in the region when it recently killed more than 280 Boko Haram militants near the southeast border with Nigeria. According to the ministry, the jihadists were killed in air strikes and a further 87 by ground troops since the offensive began on December 28, state radio stated. It comes after Western African leaders held talks in November on the escalating attacks by the Nigerian Islamist group in the Lake Chad area, a strategic region where the borders of Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger converge.
The operations were carried out on the islands of Lake Chad and along the Komadougou Yobe river which serves as a natural border between Niger and Nigeria, which has suffered a string of recent attacks on its military bases.
The Niger army said it had lost no troops or equipment in its offensive and had seized eight canoes and two rocket launchers as well as assault weapons, ammunition and vehicles.
In December, Niger’s defence minister said he feared Boko Haram would launch renewed attacks on its positions from January, when the Komadougou Yobe river’s waters which usually prevent incursions begin to recede.
According to a statement Thursday morning signed by the Director, Army Public Relations, Gen. Sani K Usman, the Army have observed with concern, the recent negative reportage and criticisms of her activities in the social and mainstream media especially as it relates to equipment and attacks on troops’ locations in Operation LAFIYA DOLE.
Gen Usman said it is further observed that some individuals and groups in and outside Nigeria have been making false claims and allegations that Boko Haram terrorists are better equipped than the Armed Forces Nigeria (AFN).
“Nothing can be further from the truth as the AFN have universally accepted doctrines, are better trained, equipped and well -motivated. Therefore, there is no basis for comparison between the Nigerian soldier and the Boko Haram terrorists. Whereas the Nigerian military system is voluntary and enlistment or commission are borne out of patriotism and love for the country, the terrorists on the other hand are indoctrinated and in most cases coerced to take up arms against the state and humanity.” Gen SK Usman said. He added that these issues are further exacerbated by a section of the media, possibly at the behest of some disgruntled elements in the society.
“The attacks on Nigerian Army troops are not as a result of superior arms or equipment, rather it is due to the use of psychological weapon which is as good as any lethal weapons. The psychological attacks have been further aggravated by some unpatriotic elements in the society that take joy and pride in propagating such falsehoods.” he said.
He said it is surprising that some Nigerians, for whatever mundane reasons, would compare a group of confused and misguided elements operating under the influence of drugs and warped ideologies to Nigerian Army troops.
“It will be necessary to observe that unlike the Nigerian Army, the terrorists live amongst the populace and used that opportunity to spread their propaganda. Nigerian Army fights according to set down Rules Of Engagement while the Boko Haram Terrorist does not. Also, while the Nigerian Army seeks to protect lives and properties, the renegades seek to destroy same.” The Army Spokesman said.
“Our conviction is that these negative comments about the Nigerian Army are aimed at demoralizing the troops and breaking its cohesion. They are borne out of selfish, political and unpatriotic reasons with a view to bringing down the government of the day. We totally condemn and reject the insinuations that the Boko Haram Terrorists are better equipped than the Nigerian Army. Rather, we are bold to say and re-affirm that Nigerian Army troops are better trained, equipped and better motivated than the rag-tag Boko Haram Terrorists. Indeed, there are no basis for comparison.” Gen SK said.
“Unfortunately, the psychological attacks are not being waged against the Nigerian Army by the Boko Haram Terrorists alone but also by some misguided elements both within and out of the country, either under the guise of humanitarian and Human Rights concerns or low morale. Far from that, most of these false allegations were based on selfish and mostly political reasons by unpatriotic elements. Despite extant rules, these group of persons discuss highly classified military issues which they are mostly ignorant about on various media platforms. Indeed, those who should know better are the ones perpetrating these acts.” he said.
Meanwhile the defence ministry of a sister country, Niger Republic says it recorded massive victory of insurgency in the region when it recently killed more than 280 Boko Haram militants near the southeast border with Nigeria. According to the ministry, the jihadists were killed in air strikes and a further 87 by ground troops since the offensive began on December 28, state radio stated. It comes after Western African leaders held talks in November on the escalating attacks by the Nigerian Islamist group in the Lake Chad area, a strategic region where the borders of Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger converge.
The operations were carried out on the islands of Lake Chad and along the Komadougou Yobe river which serves as a natural border between Niger and Nigeria, which has suffered a string of recent attacks on its military bases.
The Niger army said it had lost no troops or equipment in its offensive and had seized eight canoes and two rocket launchers as well as assault weapons, ammunition and vehicles.
In December, Niger’s defence minister said he feared Boko Haram would launch renewed attacks on its positions from January, when the Komadougou Yobe river’s waters which usually prevent incursions begin to recede.
