The Nigerian Army on Monday dismissed an allegation that it was deploying only commanders of Northern extraction to quell tension in the Southeast.
The development became necessary following an online publication entitled: “Nigerian Army shuns Southern officers, deploy Northern commanders to quell tension in Southeast.”
The Army In a statement issued on by Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima in Abuja said there was no truth in the allegation.
Gen. Yerima stated that ordinarily, the Nigerian Army would have ignored the illogical narrative by the online medium, but for the good of members of the public, it must respond.
The army spokesperson who said the report was targeted at steering discord and disunity among peace-loving Nigerians, stressed that the army, as a national force, does not promote or post its personnel along ethnic or religious lines.
“For the records, let it be clear in everyone’s mind that the Nigerian Army does not train, deploy or operate along ethnic, religious, tribal or regional divides.
“Senior officers are posted to command units based on their capability and competence taking into consideration their posting history.
“Furthermore, officers are the most frequently posted personnel of the Nigerian Army.
“However, because of the bias and seed of discord that the author of the report wanted to sow, he did not do a thorough background check of his report,’’ Gen. Yerima stated.
Discrediting the report further, he added that while the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja is from Southwest, the Commander 34 Brigade Owerri. Brig.-Gen. Raymond Utsaha is from the North Central.
He stated also that the General Officer Commanding 2 Division Ibadan, Maj.-Gen. Gold Chibuisi is of Southeast extraction.
Gen. Yerima stressed that Brig.-Gen. Farouk Mijinyawa was never the Commander of 16 Brigade of the Nigerian Army as claimed by the online publication.
While urging the public to disregard contents of the the publication, the Nigerian Army
solicited for the continuous support of all patriotic Nigerians in stamping out activities of criminals including subversive and divisive elements for a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.
