The Nigerian Army Headquarters said it will investigate the allegations of extortion levelled against some of its personnel by the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum.
The governor had on Monday accused the military and police personnel manning the high ways in his state of extorting commuters.
The governor who ran into a gridlock along Damaturu-Maiduguri road said the security personnel were demanding bribe of N500 and N1000 from commuters who did not have National ID Cards.
In a swift reaction on Tuesday, the Army promised to look into the allegation with a view to sanctioning those found culpable.
The Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, who issued a statement in response to the allegation, noted that the Nigerian army being a professional and disciplined institution viewed such allegations seriously, especially coming from a governor.
He said it was on record that whenever such allegations of misconduct had been made against its troops in the past, the Nigerian Army never failed to conduct thorough investigations to establish them.
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“Where any infractions were established against any personnel, appropriate sanctions were applied in line with extant rules and regulations as provided for in the Armed Forces Act CAP A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
“Thus, the Nigerian Army wishes to assure the good people of Borno State and indeed the nation at large that any allegations of misconduct against its troops will be duly investigated and culprits will be dealt with accordingly,” he said.
Iliyasu reiterated the military’s commitment to the protection of lives and properties of law abiding citizens even as he noted that public outbursts particularly by a state governor could be counterproductive.
“The Nigerian Army wishes to emphatically reiterate its steadfastness on the protection of lives, properties of all law abiding citizens as it is committed to wiping out insurgency in the North East and other forms of criminality across the country.
“Additionally, citizens’ continuous support and cooperation is highly appreciated.
“Any observed misconduct by troops could be reported directly through a toll – free code 193 for immediate remedy,” he said.
