Defence Headquarters’
spokesperson, Major General Chris Olukolade.
Following
the alarm raised by the Nigerian Army and the Defence headquarters, more than
15 senior military officers including 10 generals have been tried and found
guilty of giving information and ammunition to members of the dreaded Islamist
sect- Boko Haram.
This was
made known on Monday by a high ranking military source who pleaded anonymity
because he was not obligated to disclose detailed information about the
development.
It was
gathered that the Army and the Defence headquarters had alleged that some of
their officers and men were giving vital official information to Boko Haram
members. The allegation, however, brought about the arrest and arraignment of
some officers who were court-martial in the army divisions in the northern part
of the country.
According to
the source, some of the apprehended officers and men were being tried at their
various division levels, adding that they still have a lot of hope until the
final review of their judgment at the army headquarters in Abuja.
“There are a
lot of arrests that have been made over some officers who were sabotaging the
ongoing counter-insurgency operations. The suspects include about 10 generals
and other ranks, not to talk of soldiers who have been found culpable of
sabotaging our operations. They are facing trial before court-martial set up
by their divisions; some have been found guilty, and some are still facing
trial. Once the court martial rule, the recommendations are forwarded to the
Army Headquarters or Defence Headquarters as the case may be,” the source
said.
Other high
ranking officer, who didn’t want his name in print, revealed that four senior
officers have been found guilty for being disloyal and working for the
terrorists.
“Four
generals have been court-martial for divulging high-class security information
to the members of the sect. They were found guilty of leaking military
strategies to the Boko Haram people. This was why many soldiers have been
ambushed and killed by the Boko Haram,” the source said.
“They have been found guilty of also
collaborating with some top politicians in the country to make the country
ungovernable for selfish reasons. A lot of re-organization is going on in the
military. Many generals will go. Some will be court-martial and some will be
forcefully retired.
“The movement of our troops in the north-east
have been leaked to the Boko Haram by many of our colleagues, but the Defence
headquarters has realized that and is seriously considering redeployment of
some senior officers out of the north-east” he added.
Meanwhile,
the sources declined to disclose the identities of the generals who were
involved in this treasonable crime, but it was, however, gathered that most of
them were from a particular section of the country.
It would be
recalled that the army on September 19, 2013, hinted that its 3 Division had
set up a general martial court to try erring officers and soldiers. The former
director, army public relations, Brigadier General Ibrahim Attahiru, who made
the announcement then, noted that the new court would instil discipline and
professionalism in its personnel as ordered by the Army Headquarters.
The court
which is under General Commanding Officer Ebiobowei Awala was set up on April
22 at Rhino Officers Mess, Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, and Jos. The court has so
far tried nine soldiers for offences like murder and manslaughter. It couldn’t
not be ascertained if it was the same court that court –martial the erring
generals as efforts to get confirmation from the Defence Headquarters’
spokesperson, Major General Chris Olukolade, proved abortive.
Another
serving general in the DHQ, who also requested anonymity said: “A lot is
happening. Those suspected are being tried, and this is why it is difficult to
confirm or deny the story. But whenever the final verdicts are taken on these
trials, the press would be briefed by the appropriate officers.”
Source- news.naij.com
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