By Augustine Osayande
The Nigerian Army on Monday denied the allegation that the United Nations (UN) humanitarian agencies and some Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) operating in the north-east of the country are sabotaging the fight against terrorism.
According a statement signed by Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman, the allegation published on the Nation Newspaper few days ago was incorrect and a misrepresentation of facts which does not reflect the position of the Chief of Army Staff and indeed the Nigerian Army.
“The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to an online publication of The Nation Newspaper a few days ago, titled “N’East: Buratai accuses humanitarian agencies of waste, infighting” which was attributed to the Chief of Army Staff. In it, it was alleged that he leveled allegations against the United Nations (UN) humanitarian agencies and some Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) operating in the north east of sabotaging the fight against terrorism and insurgency.
“This is incorrect and a misrepresentation of facts and does not reflect the position of the Chief of Army Staff and indeed the Nigerian Army” Usman said.
The Army spokesman further stated that the Nigerian Army has been in good working and cordial relationship with all the UN agencies and the NGOs in our country. “The reported allegation was a result of research work and quotation from news report of a Nigerian news medium that the presenter quoted but reported out of context and without proper attribution to the original source” Usman added.
He said the Nigeria Army appreciate the role of the UN, its agencies and all the NGOs operating in the north east as they contribute immeasurably in alleviating the plight of the Internally Displaced Persons. “We would therefore continue to support and assist them in any way possible in the discharge of their legitimate humanitarian duties” Usman said.
