The Nigerian military on Friday said it rejected a news report on CNN which highlighted corruption in the Army high command, describing it as part of ‘another in the series of orchestrated campaign of smear and blackmail against its image and character by some entrenched interests.”
A statement issued by the Defence spokesman, Chris Olukolade, a Major General, who was featured in the CNN report, stated that the story “smacks of an international conspiracy against Nigeria’s national security.”
The international cable network on Thursday aired a special report on the insurgency in the North east in Nigeria, speaking to soldiers who painted a dismal picture of the conditions of the Nigerian troops fighting Boko Haram terrorists.
One soldier claimed that troops were expected to purchase their own uniforms and that they were not given adequate equipment to prosecute the war against the terrorists.
The soldier, whose identity hidden, concluded that this was due to corruption in the military high command.
The military spokesman also called to question the identity of the two men whom CNn claimed to have interviewed, saying that a “reputable medium is not expected to indulge in propagating concocted stories from persons or individuals whose identity remains questionable.”
Olukolade added that the “Federal Government and the leadership of the Nigerian Armed Forces are without doubt committed and focused on the ongoing fight against terror and is ensuring that both weapons and welfare are incrementally provided to the fighting force.”
He stated further that Nigerian soldiers understand the efforts being made by the government in the war against terror and are committed to reversing “the unfortunate gains of terrorists and improve the security situation in the affected areas.”
The report that incurred the wrath of the military high command in Nigeria was first aired on Thursday evening on a programme anchored by Christiane Amanpour and presented a critical appraisal of the war against Boko Haram terrorists.