Army chief's shocker: Some joined the army not to fight

If one wonders why Boko Haram fighters easily overrun Nigerian army positions, and why Nigerian soldiers sometimes abandon their posts and run away, the answer may lie in the shocking revelation by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-.Gen. Kenneth Minimah, today in Abuja.

At an Inter-Denominational Church Service to mark the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2015 (NADECL), Minimah said some of the soldiers joined the army to own properties and others joined the army for employment, adding that they did not join to fight.

Minimah said he believes that the true measure of a soldier should lie in his valour and patriotism and announced that the Nigerian Army would continue to set up court-martial to check indiscipline among troops operating in North-East.

He said the army is taking all proactive measures, such as setting up court martials to restore sanity and battle confidence to troops. He explained that court-martial was set up to try those soldiers and officers who ran away during the operation.

“I must set up court-martial and if you are in my place and you did nothing you are not worth being a Chief of Army Staff. I did that, I have no regret.

“I am setting up more court-martial to try people who ran, show cowardice, abandoned troops and equipment and ran away.

“Why are you in the army? Why are you running away? Is that the army we want in Nigeria?’’ Minimah asked.

The army chief said any soldier who cannot fight for his country should not exist, adding that the oath of allegiance of the military commands that a soldier should fight.

According to him, the oath also said that if possible the “soldier should lay down his life for his fatherland and that is the oath we all took’’.

The army chief said there were saboteurs who believed the war was not to be fought and also those who believed in the war sentiment and showed cowardice.

Minimah appealed to Nigerians to be patient, assuring that the fight on terrorism would soon be over.

However, he said that more time was needed and with the support of the citizenry the fight will be over.

He said the choice of Maiduguri for the celebration is for the army to identify with the government and people of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, and the entire North Eastern region that the army share their pains.

He also said the celebration in Maiduguri would boost the morale of troops operating there.

On removal of military check points, Minimah explained that not all military check points and road blocks were being removed, contrary to the perception of people.

“Indeed, we will re-establish some that were erstwhile removed like in the South-East and some of the South-South areas where kidnapping and ransom exist.

“So the road blocks and check points will remain in certain areas.

“And in the areas where they cause hardship for citizens we are taking steps to ensure that they are presented in such a way that citizens experience less hardship,’’ said the army chief.

On his part, Rev. Father Charles Ireogbu, Chaplaincy Roman Catholic Army, said vision was important as this can help overcome challenges and bring success.

Taking his text from Joshua 1 verses 1 to 16, the cleric said it was when there was vision that things can be done well and success would be achieved.

“We must see God as our own weapon of victory, there are weapons but without God victory is not possible,’’ he said.

He urged all members of the armed forces to pray to God for them to overcome and come out of the fight against Boko Haram successfully.