The Director of Defence Information,
Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade has debunked reports that the Federal Government is
withdrawing Nigerian troops from Mali to fight Islamic terrorists in the
North-East.
Olukolade said it was unnecessary for
any such deployment to be made as the human and material resources in the
country were effectively managed to handle internal and external missions.
He dismissed the report as a complete
falsehood and assured Nigerians of the capabilities of the nation’s Armed
Forces to discharge their sensitive security responsibilities.
“As the operation to rid our country
of terrorist activities continues, the Defence Headquarters wishes to reassure
Nigerians that the Nigerian military is quite capable and ready to discharge
this duty professionally and creditably well.
“The report therefore in a section of
the press that Nigerian troops are to be withdrawn from Mali to face the
ongoing insurgency is complete falsehood.
“There is certainly no need for such
action now as the human and material resources of the Armed Forces of Nigeria
are being meticulously deployed and quite able to meet its present internal and
external assignments.”
Olukolade said that while normal and
scheduled rotation of troops in the various missions would be carried out as
planned, it should not be misconstrued to generate wrong information for the
country and the international community.
He said, “As a matter of fact the
normal and scheduled rotation of troops in various missions will continue.
“This routine should not be
misunderstood or misrepresented to misinform Nigerians and the international
community.
“These times are too sensitive for
anyone to engage in unnecessary sensation, speculation or rumour mongering on
military affairs please.”
Tags
Politics