The federal government says there is no case of hunger, starvation or begging among the troops securing lives in northeastern Nigeria.
The minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing newsmen on “the allegations of deplorable conditions of troops fighting Boko Haram in the NorthEast.”
He said reports by an online media alleging that the Special Forces battalion who are fighting Boko Haram in the northeast live under deplorable conditions have grave implications for the security of the nation.
Mohammed said the allegations were taken seriously by President Buhari who subsequently ordered an investigation to determine the veracity or otherwise of the claims in the publication.
He also said the allegations were false noting that there is no irregular or short payment of allowances, while claims of poor equipment, inadequate kitting and accommodation were found ill-conceived and unfounded.
Mohammed, who said that the troops in question, deployed at Brig.-Gen. Maimalari Secondary School along Gubio Road, are being fed centrally three times a day, and are kitted immediately after their training before they are deployed to the theatre, added that the allegation of poor equipment and inadequate kitting was found to be false also.
“How then can soldiers who are fed centrally be starving or begging for food? Concerning the payment of allowances, the monthly allowances of troops of the AFSF Battalion are being paid directly into their various accounts from the Defence Headquarters, hence they cannot be shortchanged,” he said.
The minister stressed that no Army in the world has all the requisite equipment to prosecute a counter-insurgency operation.
He further emphasized that Boko Haram has been decapitated, compared to when they launch attacks at will, adding the insurgents no longer hold any territory captive as they used to.
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