The Nigerian Army has kicked against an allegation by the Borno state Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum that he was attacked by Army along his way to Baga, Borno state.
The Governor’s convoy came under heavy attack on Monday on his way to Baga to pay a visit to some internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Kukawa Local Govt Area of the state.
Initially, the attack was believed to have been carried out by the Boko Haram element until the Governor made some allegation that there was sabotage by the Military, saying the attack came from soldiers.
Responding to the allegation, the Coordinator of the Defence Media Operation, Maj. Gen John Eneche insisted that the attack was not in any way from the Military as alleged by the Governor but rather from the Boko Haram Element.
According to the Army spokesperson, the analysis carried out by the Army proved that its officers were not involved in the attack.
He said, “It was an allegation that needed to be proved. And Also, I want to say that for such an allegation, it calls for worry on our part at the high command of which we went into action immediately. For you now to say sabotage, you gave superstar a baby to keep for you and you’re saying that somebody can kill that baby is a strong accusation,” Enenche said.
“We investigated it immediately and the strategic level is cleared of that; operational level cleared of that, tactical level, cleared of that. Now from the basics, I was interested and I took a cursory look. We analyzed the video, the scenery. Even from the gunshots, the way it all played out, you will discover from the sound of the gunshots, it is not the conventional weapons that we use.
According to Eneche, from their training, they could tell the sound of a gun, especially when they are involved for a very long time, they call it an enemy habit.
He explained that from the analysis, the gunfire was purely that of the enemy, Boko Haram, considering the tactics and the maneuver exhibited, saying it was theirs. Our fears were allayed after 48hrs, that he can confidently tell anyone that the attack was from Boko Haram and not sabotage from the military. Eneche added.
However, he said contrary to public opinion, the Army is not short of men or ammunition as being speculated.