Blatant Lie! Army Tackles Lawmaker Over Allegation Its Men Are Aiding Criminals

The Nigerian Army on Tuesday tackled a member of the Abia State House of Assembly, Emeka Okoroafor, for accusing its personnel of conniving with criminals in the state.

The lawmaker, representing Isuikwuato constituency, was quoted to have made the accusation during an interview with a radio station after an abduction in the area.

The Army, while reacting to the allegation in a statement by its Director of Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, said the claim was false.

According to Nwachukwu, contrary to the law maker’s allegation, it was Army personnel on patrol who rescued the victims of the said kidnap and handed them over to the police.

The statement read: “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a spurious allegation by an assembly member representing Isuikwuato constituency of Abia State who alleged that when security agents arrested suspected kidnappers of Abia State University lecturers, a certain call came from a high military formation ordering the release of the arrested suspects despite strong evidence linking them with the said crime.

“The claim is completely devoid of truth. It is most unfair for anyone at that height of the social ladder to sponsor a smear campaign against the Nigerian Army for whatever reason; particularly knowing that he has access to the leadership of the military.

“Contrary to the narrative being peddled in the said report, it took the gallantry of our men on patrol to rescue the victims of the said kidnap incident before handing them over to the police. How then could the same Army that was instrumental to the rescue of the victims, turn around to order the release of the suspects. Evidently, this is illogical and a blatant lie.

“The Nigerian Army therefore, wishes to state that the misguided report is actually an abysmally failed attempt at blackmailing the NA for denying unscrupulous elements the freedom of action to foist lawlessness and violence on the good people and government of Abia State.”

According to Onyema, the lawmaker should have sought for clarifications from the Army before resorting to media trial.