THE cloud of silence by the Presidency, Defence and security agencies on the fate of the seven hostages allegedly killed by elements of the Boko Haram terror sect continued Tuesday in Abuja.
Neither the Police, which statutorily is saddled with maintaining law and order and the military, which is increasingly involved in internal security operations, were willing to talk.
Director of Army Public Relations, Brig Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, during a briefing on the activities of the Army referred journalists to Defence Headquarters as it "coordinates what the services do."
But Director of Defence Information, Col. Mohammed Yerima kept mum on the issue.
Attahiru told journalists in Abuja that henceforth, all Nigerian Army units earmarked for Peace Support Operations (PSOs) must undergo pre-induction training to ensure they perform their duties in line with best practices.
And as part of measures to ensure increased combat efficiency and improved Contingent Owned Equipment (COE), the Army has procured about 35 dessert terrain vehicles for deployment to the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA).
Also, a team of Army electrical and mechanical engineers has carried out repairs on the COBRA Armoured Personnel Carriers deployed in Darfur, Sudan.
Attahiru said that the new pre-induction training for all peacekeepers include law of arms conflict, counter terrorism and counter insurgency.
He also confirmed that the final report for the 2013 National Defence College selection under which participants of this year's course will be picked from has been submitted to Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Onyeabo Ihejirika.
Until the introduction of the selection examination, nomination as participant in the Defence College was "arbitrarily done."
On this maiden examination, out of the total number of 131 that participated, 114 scored 50 per cent and above.
The Guardian