PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Nigerian Army alleges foreign involvement in Boko Haram attacks
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - The Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Onyeabo Azubike Ihejirika, on Tuesday said that from the type of weapons and communication equipment captured from elements of the Boko Haram religious sect, there was “definite” foreign involvement in the terrorism in Nigeria.
Ihejirika also said that from the expertise they had displayed in the preparation of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devises), the Boko Haram group is getting their training and funding from abroad.
Speaking at the opening of the two-day Chief of Army Staff third quarterly conference in Abuja, he said the army had taken a strong stand against indiscipline in its ranks through the use of all legal means at its disposal.
Ihejirika told journalists that “it is definite that the group that call themselves Boko Haram receives training and possible funding from some foreign elements. This is evident from the type of weapons we have captured from them, the type of communication equipment we have captured from them and the expertise that they have displayed in the preparation of IEDs. The fact is that there is foreign involvement in the terrorism going on in Nigeria.”
The Army chief also told his officers attending the conference to “appraise the performance the army is involved in, both internally and externally. Be frank and give serious critic of the performance so that we come up with ideas to improve the army.”
Earlier, Chief of Army Policy and Plans, Maj.-Gen. Olakunle Akinyemi, said that though the army had received encomiums for its role in the conduct of the 2011 general elections, it had equally received knocks for the performance of its troops in Internal Security Operations (ISOs).
Akinyemi lamented that “some of our troops are getting into serious disciplinary issues that bring the Nigerian Army in bad light.”
Such disciplinary issues include extortion and the non-challant attitude of junior commanders on the welfare of troops.
He disclosed that “commanding officers are enjoined to ensure they make their officers and soldiers better prepared to perform the duties expected of them. The conduct of discipline and professionalism must be maintained at all times as they enhance performance of the army in internal security operations.”
The quarterly meeting of the army top leadership is focused on all the security and current operations involving the Nigerian Army and how they can improve, based on their appraisal of current performance.
The conference is a major activity in the annual training directive of the army and affords the leadership an opportunity for self-assessment and adjustment of strategies in line with emerging national challenges.
The conference is being attended by all the Service Principal Staff Officers at the Defence and Army Headquarters, General Officers Commanding (GOCs), corps and formation commanders and heads of army establishments.
-0- PANA MON/BOS 27Sept2011
Ihejirika also said that from the expertise they had displayed in the preparation of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devises), the Boko Haram group is getting their training and funding from abroad.
Speaking at the opening of the two-day Chief of Army Staff third quarterly conference in Abuja, he said the army had taken a strong stand against indiscipline in its ranks through the use of all legal means at its disposal.
Ihejirika told journalists that “it is definite that the group that call themselves Boko Haram receives training and possible funding from some foreign elements. This is evident from the type of weapons we have captured from them, the type of communication equipment we have captured from them and the expertise that they have displayed in the preparation of IEDs. The fact is that there is foreign involvement in the terrorism going on in Nigeria.”
The Army chief also told his officers attending the conference to “appraise the performance the army is involved in, both internally and externally. Be frank and give serious critic of the performance so that we come up with ideas to improve the army.”
Earlier, Chief of Army Policy and Plans, Maj.-Gen. Olakunle Akinyemi, said that though the army had received encomiums for its role in the conduct of the 2011 general elections, it had equally received knocks for the performance of its troops in Internal Security Operations (ISOs).
Akinyemi lamented that “some of our troops are getting into serious disciplinary issues that bring the Nigerian Army in bad light.”
Such disciplinary issues include extortion and the non-challant attitude of junior commanders on the welfare of troops.
He disclosed that “commanding officers are enjoined to ensure they make their officers and soldiers better prepared to perform the duties expected of them. The conduct of discipline and professionalism must be maintained at all times as they enhance performance of the army in internal security operations.”
The quarterly meeting of the army top leadership is focused on all the security and current operations involving the Nigerian Army and how they can improve, based on their appraisal of current performance.
The conference is a major activity in the annual training directive of the army and affords the leadership an opportunity for self-assessment and adjustment of strategies in line with emerging national challenges.
The conference is being attended by all the Service Principal Staff Officers at the Defence and Army Headquarters, General Officers Commanding (GOCs), corps and formation commanders and heads of army establishments.
-0- PANA MON/BOS 27Sept2011
