Yusuf Bello/ The Defence Headquarters has denied claims that military personnel monitoring the closed-circuit television at the Nigerian Defence Academy were fast asleep when bandits attacked the facility on Tuesday morning.
The DHQ which made the disclosure in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Benjamin Sawyerr, also said a board of enquiry has been constituted to ascertain the incidents that led to the security breach.
An online news platform, TheCable, and others including Alabingo.com had reported that officers in the CCTV monitoring room at NDA slept off while the bandits breached the security of the facility.
But in a statement dispelling the claim, the DHQ said the military personnel are trained and dedicated to their duties.
“The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to a news publication by an online news media claiming that personnel on duty at the Nigerian Defence Academy CCTV monitoring room were sleeping when bandits attacked the officers’ residential quarters leading to the death of two officers and the abduction of one other officer, the statement reads.
“The Nigerian Armed Forces wishes to state categorically that the allegation is untrue and hence challenge the Cable Online to publish forthwith a verifiable proof of personnel sleeping during the incident.
“It is therefore imperative to caution the Cable Online media to guide against being used as a propaganda tool by enemies of our dear country.
“The Cable should not consciously or unconsciously collaborate with these unscrupulous elements to spread unverified stories on the unfortunate event that occurred at NDA Kaduna while tarnishing the good image and reputation of personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the eyes of the civil populace.
“It is perhaps important to mention that the AFN as a professional force consists of highly trained personnel who are dedicated to their duties of protecting lives and property of all Nigerians.
“Let me also assure (Nigerians) that we shall continue to update the general public as events unfold as we are all aware the search and rescue of the abducted officer are still on. Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue with its operations to ensure all those involved in the dastardly act are brought to justice.”
Two officers were killed and one abducted by bandits who attacked the Nigeria Defense Academy on Tuesday morning.
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