The Nigerian Army this morning in Abuja disclosed that it has launched a manhunt for the faceless members of a group claiming to be “Concerned Officers” and “Patriotic Officers” who have been tarnishing the image of the Nigerian Army “through propagation of falsehood and misrepresentation of facts uses.”

“The group’s activities are dubious and highly criminal. I want to assure you that both the Directorate of Military Intelligence and the Military Police are on their trails and have made significant progress in that regard,” Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, said during his monthly press briefing, held at the Army Headquarters Conference Room, Abuja.

He also gave an insight into why the military has effectively routed Boko Haram terrorists from their strongholds in the past two months, attributing it to “the Nigerian Army’s huge investment in human and material resources within the period.” Below is an excerpt of the briefing:

“The Nigerian Army considers welfare of its personnel as one of the most important and key aspects that determines the success of its operations and day-to-day administration. To this end, the Nigerian Army Administrative Policies and Procedures have recently been reviewed to be in line with current and future realities. The last review of this document was in 2005. To ease the problems associated with retiring Nigerian Army officers, a one-stop documentation procedure was devised recently. An office of the Deputy Director Retirement and Documentation was established at the Army Headquarters Department of Administration with a 90 day time line of documenting and processing retiring officers’ benefits. Similarly, a system of annual update of Nigerian Army personnel Next-of-Kins has been devised. This is intended to eliminate the hardship hitherto experienced by families and in particular, the Next-of-Kins of our fallen colleagues.

“As a prelude to this, last month 20 Next-of-Kins received cheques for payment of Group Life Insurance entitled to them while a total of 235 Next-of-Kins benefitted from the special assistance by the office of the National Security Adviser. Similarly, over 2000 children of deceased personnel were screened and passed for NA scholarship for 2014/2015 Academic Session. Furthermore, up to 20 families have also benefitted from the official burial expenses within the last month in addition to the Chief of Army Staff’s token which was intended to provide immediate succour to the families.

“I have previously raised alarm about certain faceless interest group deliberately trying to tarnish the image of the Nigerian Army through propagation of falsehood and misrepresentation of facts. The group which was previously writing as “Concerned Officers” and now have adopted “Patriotic Officers” uses stolen prototype of the official letter headed paper of the Department of Administration in their nefarious activities. The group’s activities are dubious and highly criminal. I want to assure you that both the Directorate of Military Intelligence and the Military Police are on their trails and have made significant progress in that regard. I also wish to state that the members of the group are anything but patriotic and do not mean well to either the Nigerian Army or the nation. For the avoidance of doubt, if there is any good intention, the military has laid down procedures to channel suggestions, complains and observations.

“There are currently 2 separate Court Martial’s going on in Army Headquarters Garrison and 81 Division Nigerian Army with a view to ensuring quick dispensation of justice, discipline and professionalism.

“Let me use this opportunity to also inform you that the Passing Out Parade of 2,388 members of 72 Regular Recruits Intake at Depot Nigerian Army Zaria comes up on Friday 22 May 2015. There is no doubt this would boost the strength of the Nigerian Army.

“Let me reiterate the Nigerian Army’s unalloyed loyalty and subordination to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Nigerian Army also wishes to emphasise its adherence to the principles and respect for Human Rights in the discharge of its Constitutional duties. It further calls on everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspected breach of peace to security agencies. This become necessary in view of the fact that the Boko Haram terrorists group have been routed out of their strongholds; they have now resorted to using under aged children as couriers and suicide bombers. This calls for more security consciousness and vigilance among all Nigerians.”

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