Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has refuted reports that its personnel monitoring the Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna were sleeping when bandits attacked.
Gatekeepers News had reported that the bandits on Tuesday stormed officers’ residential quarters, killed two officers and kidnapped one.
Following the report, some media sections (Gatekeepers News not included) claimed that the military personnel in charge of the CCTV were caught unaware because they had slept off.
The DHQ, in its reaction to the report, said the allegation is untrue and hence, challenged the news media that broke the news “to publish forthwith 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 Online 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 (AFN) in the eyes of the civil populace.
“It is perhaps important to mention that the AFN as a professional force consist of highly trained personnel who are dedicated to their duties of protecting lives and property of all Nigerians.
“Let me use this opportunity, to reiterate that the NDA authorities, acting on the directive of the Chief of Defence Staff has constituted a board of enquiry to ascertain the remote and immediate cause(s) of the breach of security with a view to sanction any personnel found culpable and also prevent future occurrence.
“Let me also assure 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 is still on. Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue with it’s operations to ensure all those involved in the dastardly act are brought to justice,” the statement signed by Director, Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr, reads in part.
