NDA Denies Report Of Personnel On CCTV Duty Sleeping During Attack, Says Search For Abducted Officer Is Still On
Defence Headquarters have on Wednesday denied claims that military personnel monitoring closed-circuit television at Nigerian Defence Academy were fast asleep when the attack on the facility happened.
It also said a board of enquiry has been constituted to ascertain the incidents that led to the security breach.
DHQ disclosed this in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Benjamin Sawyerr.
It would be recalled that armed men said to be bandits invaded the academy in the early hours of Tuesday, killing two officers and abducting one.
Read Also: Breaking: Bandits Attack Nigerian Defence Academy In Kaduna, Kill Two Officers, Abduct One
An online news platform, TheCable, had reported that officers in the CCTV monitoring room at NDA slept off while the marauders operated.
Dispelling the claim in a statement, the DHQ said the military personnel are trained and dedicated to their duties.
Sources also said the officers have been arrested and are going to face disciplinary action.
However, in its statement of denial on Wednesday, the defence HQ said “the allegation is untrue”.
Read the full statement below;
PRESS RELEASE
RE: OWN PERSONNEL ON DUTY AT THE NDA CCTV MONITORING ROOM WERE SLEEPING
The attention of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) have been drawn to a news publication by Cable online news media claiming that personnel on duty at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) CCTV monitoring room were sleeping when bandits attacked the officers’ residential quarters leading to the death of two officers and the abduction of 1 other officer.
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 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.
It added;
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.
You are kindly requested to disseminate this vital information to the public. Thank you for your unwavering support to the Armed Forces.
