Defence Headquarters refutes ‘evil’ report, says Nigeria military symbol of national unity

The Defence Headquarters has described as misleading, baseless and concocted, the online story that Nigerian military is out to exterminate adherents of a particular religion in a particular region using surrendered Boko Haram terrorists.

The military in a statement by Defence Director of Information, Brig Gen Rabe Abubakar, was discomforted by the story it tagged “mischievous and calculated attempt to cause apprehension in the country and create division in the military.

The statement read, “The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to a misleading, baseless and concocted online story that Nigerian military is out to exterminate adherents of a particular religion in a particular region using surrendered Boko Haram terrorists.

“This story, to say the least, is mischievous, mendacious and calculated attempt to cause apprehension in the country and create division in the military.

“Nigerian Armed Forces is constituted by Nigerians of all tribes and religious affiliation. It is therefore callous and outrageous for anybody to think of the military taking side with one religious group against another.

“More so, everybody knows that Boko Haram is enemy to all Nigerians, therefore, to think of using them against our people is indeed senseless. Religion and politics should not meddled with security affairs.

“The Nigerian Armed Forces is a symbol of national unity and cohesion and should not be a subject of smear campaign by unpatriotic, idle and ill-meaning elements hiding under unanimity of social media platforms.

“The Nigerian military will not be distracted from carrying out its constitutional responsibility of defending the territorial integrity of our great nation and our citizens.

“Members of the public are therefore advised to be wary of such toxic message which clearly is an ill wind that blows no one any good, therefore should be discountenanced.

“Those behind such ungodly dissemination of falsehood, hate and divisive messages online are advised to desist forthwith in the best interest of national peace, security and unity as effort is underway to track them,” General Rabe Abubakar said.