The Nigeria Army has described as blackmail, allegations by Emeka Okoroafor, a lawmaker in Abia State that its officers were aiding and abetting criminality in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of the State.
According to the army, the lawmaker 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.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu described this is as illogical and a blatant lie.
Nwachukwu said, “Much as we do not want to join issues with the insinuators, it is is crucial to set the record straight. If truly the claims in the said report emanated from the lawmaker, then we must state without mincing words that they are not only unfounded but a travesty of facts and reality.
“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.”
Nwachukwu further stated that the misguided report was 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.
He added that the lawmaker should have sought clarifications from the Army before resorting to media trial.
