The 82 Division of Nigerian Army has denied media report that soldiers are attached to some politicians in Abia State.A statement by Colonel Sagir Musa, spokesman of the Army Division said “there is not a single soldier or group of soldiers attached to any political figure/politician in Abia State and in any other state within the Division Area of Responsibility.”
He added, “For emphasis, the Division under the command of Major General Abubakar Sadiq Maikobi and the NA under the leadership of Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai has so far adequately, emphatically and consistently made it clear to the entire personnel of the NA and the citizens of our great nation that army personnel are and will remain – apolitical, neutral and totally insulated from any form of politics, political party leaning and or attachment to any politician before, during and after the 2019 general elections.
His statement reads in full: “Contrary to a publication by an online media outlet – www.dailypost.ng claiming that “dozens of soldiers are attached to a prominent politician in Abia State” – “which he uses to allegedly instigate violence in the state”. This story among other false claims are contained in its news report entitled – “2019 Elections: Abia Commissioner Blows Hot, Blasts Ex Gov Kalu for Instigating Violence” published on Friday the 8th of February, 2019.
Based on this hollow allegation, the 14 Brigade and indeed the 82 Division Nigerian Army(NA) hereby restate that there is not a single soldier or group of soldiers attached to any political figure/politician in Abia State and in any other state within the Division Area of Responsibility.
For emphasis, the Division under the command of Major General Abubakar Sadiq Maikobi and the NA under the leadership of Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai has so far adequately, emphatically and consistently made it clear to the entire personnel of the NA and the citizens of our great nation that army personnel are and will remain – apolitical, neutral and totally insulated from any form of politics, political party leaning and or attachment to any politician before, during and after the 2019 general elections.
The NA Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement are unambiguous and clear enough and does not include attaching soldier to any politician. Therefore, at no time has any personnel of the NA been attached to a prominent politician in Abia State or any other state in the South East zone. Any claim to the contrary requires photo and/or video evidence to prove this rhetorical assertion.
Politicians and political leaders are please reminded to remove NA soldiers from their political permutations as the system/leadership will no longer tolerate any form of political affinity or inquisitiveness by military personnel under any guise.
