The Nigerian Army has debunked the allegations that the troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole, deployed in Baga town in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State are engaged in fishing and farming activities at the shores of Lake Chad, stressing that the allegations were malicious and false. The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Faruk Yahaya, made the denial yesterday saying that the investigation team sent to Baga found the allegations to be false and baseless.
Yahaya, who was represented by his deputy, Major General Felix Omogui said the allegations levelled against 19 Brigade of the troops were thoroughly investigated. “The Army high command constituted an investigative panel which consists of the military, NSCDC, police and the media, who were in Baga town to investigate the allegations.
While in Baga, they had an interface with the commanding officer, soldiers and members of the CJTF but found out that the allegations were false and baseless”. “The governor was misinformed following a report from sister security organisation, without verification. The governor would have verified the allegations from the military, since he had been in constant touch with the Theatre Commander and the Sector 3 Commander”. “Baga town was filled with Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs).
We discovered over 50 IEDs within town and the farmlands. Before our troops recaptured the town from the insurgents, they planted IEDs before they left. How can a soldier abandon his primary duty and engage in fishing or farming activities