By Chioma Iruke
Defence Headquarters has debunked claims that military personnel monitoring the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) were fast asleep when the attack on the facility happened.
The DHQ disclosed this in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Benjamin Sawyerr.
Recall, an online news platform, TheCable, had reported that officers in the CCTV monitoring room at NDA slept off while the marauders operated.
This was even as the DHQ also said a board of enquiry has been constituted to ascertain the incidents that led to the security breach, as they insisted that the military personnel are trained and dedicated to their duties.
It read, “The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to a news publication by an online news media claiming that personnel on duty at the Nigerian Defence Academy CCTV monitoring room were sleeping when bandits attacked the officers’ residential quarters leading to the death of two officers and the abduction of one other officer.
“The Cable 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 in the eyes of the civil populace.
“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 sanctioning any personnel found culpable and also prevent future occurrence.
“Let me also assure (Nigerians) 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 are still on. Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue with its operations to ensure all those involved in the dastardly act are brought to justice.”
