The Nigerian Army has alleged that some unnamed foreign powers, working in concert with their local collaborators, were complicating the country’s security challenges by sponsoring terrorism and banditry.
According to the army, not only are these elements working assiduously to derail the ongoing counter-insurgency efforts, as well as the West African sub-region, they were also hard at work to scuttle the country’s democracy as well as the May 29 handover date, The Guardian reported.
In a statement issued Saturday, Col. Sagir Musa, director of Army Public Relations, said “mischief-makers were determined to undermine the peace and integrity of Nigeria.”
Musa cited “great concern” over “efforts by some unpatriotic individuals, groups and foreign interests determined to cause mischief and exacerbate the security situation in this country in particular, and West African Sub-region.”
The statement added that these persons and groups were making concerted efforts to further induce the Islamic State for West African Province (ISWAP)/Boko Haram terrorists and bandits with funds and other logistic supports.
“Their body language and unguarded utterances seem to be in tandem with the above and imply tacit support for the criminals,” the statement said. “For example, credible sources have shown that some individuals are hobnobbing with Boko Haram terrorists, while others are deliberately churning out falsehood against security agencies with a view to setting the military against the people and the government.
“They are also demoralizing troops and security agencies through false accusations and fake news,” the director said. “Therefore, it has become necessary to inform the public and warn such persons and groups to desist as the consequences of their actions would be calamitous to themselves and our great country.
“Nigeria is a sovereign country with clearly established judicial system; therefore, all aggrieved persons and groups should take advantage of that and resolve their differences amicably,” the statement stressed.