The Nigerian Military yesterday evening lambasted US cable television CNN over an interview purportedly granted by a soldier, who used the opportunity to demonise Nigeria and the military with respect with the on-going war against terror in the country’s North-East.

In the interview, a man dressed in Nigerian Army uniformed who backed the camera alleged that the country’s military is disorganised and under-equipped for the war against Boko Haram terrorists. He also claimed that Nigerian soldiers buy their own uniforms and that some military families still don’t know what has happened to their husbands and fathers sent to fight Boko Haram.

Reacting to the interview, the military said in a statement uploaded on its official website: “The Federal Government and the Military Leadership are concerned, committed and focused on the ongoing fight against terror. The orchestrated blackmail propaganda by entrenched interests as clearly illustrated by the ultra-biased CNN report will not deter the military.

“If it is true that a Nigerian soldier will willfully go against the rules by speaking without due authorisation and misinform the foreign media, then it indicates how deeply committed and how far the interest of these enemies of Nigeria and humanity have gone in trying to undermine and destroy the military.

“The motive of this satanic CNN report should be of concern to all patriots and Nigeria’s well wishers. We believe that appropriate security agencies will also work on the root of this blackmail against the nation. The fight is not for the military alone.”

•Photo, courtesy of CNN, shows the purported Nigerian soldier backing the camera during the interview.