The Nigerian Army has refuted reports that the Boko Haram fighters have better equipments than Nigerian soldiers, regarding those reports as propaganda and psychological warfare against troops.
Army spokesman, Brigadier-General Sani Kukasheka Usman, in a statement that talked about several issues and concerns about the ongoing counter-insurgency war in Nigeria’s north east, accused some fake news in the society of encouraging psychological warfare against it.
Usman noted that military issues are not free for all and expressed sadness at the fact that the ongoing counter terrorism operations were being mocked and politicised for selfish reasons.
“Unfortunately, the psychological attacks are not being waged against the Nigerian army by the Boko Haram terrorists alone, but also by some misguided elements both within and out of the country.’’
Usman also said that most of the false allegations being spread around against the army were solely selfish and mostly political reasons by unpatriotic people.
“In spite of extant rules, these groups of persons discuss highly classified military issues which they are mostly ignorant about on various media platforms.
“Indeed, those who should know better are the ones perpetrating these acts.
“The psychological effects of spreading misinformation and fake news are grievous and inimical to national security and should not be allowed to continue.’’
Usman revealed that the military discipline and cowardice we see from a few misguided soldiers should not be mistaken as a failure on the part of the entire military or the government.
He said military equipment and welfare were known issues in the Nigerian army but that when such problems were observed, “appropriate steps are taken to remedy them.’’
He said: “Nothing can be further from the truth as the armed forces of Nigeria have universally accepted doctrines, better trained, equipped and well motivated.
“Therefore, there is no basis for comparison between the Nigerian soldier and the Boko Haram terrorists.’’
“The psychological attacks have been further aggravated by some unpatriotic elements in the society that take joy and pride in propagating such falsehoods.
“It is surprising that some Nigerians, for whatever mundane reasons, would compare a group of confused and misguided elements operating under the influence of drugs and warped ideologies to Nigerian army troops.
“It will be necessary to observe that unlike the Nigerian army, the terrorists live amongst the populace and used that opportunity to spread their propaganda.
“Nigerian army fights according to set down Rule of Engagement, while the Boko Haram terrorists do not.
“Also, while the Nigerian army seeks to protect lives and properties, the renegades seek to destroy same,’’ he said.
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