BY LINUS CHIBIUIKE
The Nigerian Army has described a report that the alleged killing of Igbo senior officers is in line with a Fulani conspiracy as “the dumbest narrative”, which deserves a place in the Guinness Book of Records.
The Army clarified that it does not train, deploy or operate along ethnic, religious, tribal or regional divides “thus the name Nigerian Army.”
It said the report was another attempt by enemies of Nigeria’s peace to sow a seed of discord in the Service.
Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, said these in a statement.
He said, “For the umpteenth time, the callous and cowardly enemies of Nigeria’s peace and unity are at their worst moments of divisive and subversive rhetorics against the formidable sovereignty of our beloved nation and its patriotic Nigerian Army.
“The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to an online publication anchored by the online medium Opera News Official at https://stories. 6chcdn.feednews.com with the heading ‘Secret Fulani Plan Unveiled – THE COMPROMISED ARMY CHIEF.’
“Ordinarily, the Nigerian Army would have ignored this illogical and pathetic narrative, especially as it continues to record tremendous successes in its on-going operations nation-wide under the able leadership of the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru. Nevertheless, for the benefit and awareness of our peace loving and patriotic citizens whom the Nigerian Army owe a duty.
“Part of the poorly scripted article states that “Last week, two Igbo officers, Lt Col Okeke and Lt Col Ajah alongside 44 others, predominantly Southern and Middle Belt Christian officers lost their lives in a conspiracy hatched by Fulani senior officers.’
“Alas, this is the dumbest narrative that has the potential for a Guinness Book of Record. However, to put the record straight, it should be clear that the Nigerian Army does not train, deploy or operate along ethnic, religious, tribal or regional divides thus the name NIGERIAN ARMY.”
The statement noted that, in the past, several subversive elements had attempted to infiltrate the formidable ranks of the Nigerian Army to sow seed of discord among its personnel but failed, owing largely to the loyalty and belief of the Nigerian Army in one great country, Nigeria.
It, however, added, “The amateurish article presented in a self-styled stages 1 – 9 in a fictitious movie like scenerio devoid of even the basic rudiments of a news report but yet laced with potent hatred and venom for Nigeria and its proud citizens. One can not but forgive the illiterate writer of this article and his sponsors for refering to the Chief of Army Staff as Lt Gen Jega (Stage 1, paragraph 1).
“Similarly, on the alleged killing of some personnel, a quick check on the Nigerian Army personnel data base returned negative for Lt Cols ND Okeke and Aja as there are no name matches currently in service of the Nigerian Army who were alleged to have been killed in a conspiracy whatever that means.
“In general, summarizing stages 4 – 9 of the uncoordinated article exposes the real intent albeit the very low IQ of the writers and publishers Opera News.
“They have distinguished themselves as enemies of our existence and should be seen and treated as such.”
”Furthermore, the Nigerian Army would like to request all peace loving citizens to disregard the content of the said article by Opera News Official in its entirety as it lacks common logic,” the Army said.
