General Azubuike Ihejirika, on
Wednesday revealed that some soldiers
have been interacting with Boko Haram
insurgents and divulging vital secrets of
the army's military operations.
General Ihejirika made the startling revelation
in Abuja at a seminar on personnel management
and development organized by the Army
Transformation and Innovation Center.
The COAS, who was deeply distressed by the
development, stressed that soldiers who
collaborated with Boko Haram militants had
hampered military operations, even causing the
death of soldiers.
A few months ago, some soldiers traveling from
Akure to Kachia in Kaduna State to train prior to
deployment in neighboring Mali were ambushed
and killed in Okene, Kogi State. The COAS
disclosed that a soldier had supplied information
about the troops' movement to the insurgents,
enabling Boko Haram insurgents to mount a
surprise and successful attack.
A military source reported that the Army had
arrested one of the major culprits who provided
critical information that led to Boko Haram's
attack in Okene. "We have not released details of
the soldier caught in the act, but I assure you he
has been apprehended and will be court-
marshaled," said our source.
Our source added that some soldiers had also
been identified posting negative comments on
the Internet even as other rogue soldiers were
communicating with insurgents and giving them
information on the movements of troops.
General Ihejirika warned soldiers to desist from
disloyal acts, vowing to deal decisively with
those found culpable. He added that,with
Nigeria's present security challenges, it was not
acceptable for the Army to lose operatives to
dismissals. He therefore urged soldiers to be
forthright and professional in their activities.
The COAS said that he had advised commanders
to take it easy in dismissing soldiers, but insisted
that if a soldier's misconduct was disloyal, then
the Army would have no choice than to dismiss
and jail him.
General Ihejirika revealed that, as part of its
readiness for the security challenges, the Army
was training more than 1000 amphibious
soldiers to operate in waterways. In addition, the
Army was establishing a reserved battalion to be
led by a Colonel, supported by 25 other officers,
and building 176 Battalion at Gwagwalada in
Abuja.
Earlier, the Chief of Army Transformation and
Innovation, Major-General Ibrahim Sani,
remarked that active digitalized road blocks/
checkpoints have been set up to ensure close
monitoring of the movements of criminals,
improvised explosive devices (IEDs), arms and
ammunitions. He added that the new equipment
would reduce the traffic hardship to road users
in the country.
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