From Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
The Nigeria Army Joint Operation Hadarin Daji in the North West has said while they strive to restore peace to all troubled areas under their jurisdiction, welfare of their personnel equally remained a top priority for them.
Giving this clarification in a press release to debunk allegation making the rounds in some online platforms that troops deployed to Zamfara State are been poorly fed and owed allowances, the 8 Div Army Acting Deputy Public Relations’ Director, Lt Col. Ikechukwu Eze, said the GOC has been personally present with the troops and feeds from same source with the troops.
Col. Eze, who admitted that aside the allowance of December 2023 that is still been processed, troops of the Operation are not owed anything as errorniusly claimed by those online publications.
“‘It is pertinent to state that contrary to the claim of poor feeding of the troops, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, who is physically at the vanguard of ongoing clearance operations in Zamfara State to ensure socio-economic activities continue to flourish in the State for the past two weeks, has been feeding from the same source as the troops, demonstrating his commitment to their well-being and morale,” Eze stated.
He stressed that the 8 Division GOC who is the Commander of the Operation Hadarin Daji runs an inclusive open door policy that encourages any officer or soldier to approach him with their concerns, ideas and challenges regardless of rank or appointment, to ensure that they effectively discharge their responsibilities.
The statement added: “Accordingly, it is baffling that this Headquarters which has earnestly prioritized the welfare of its troops has been alleged of depriving them. However, while we acknowledge that there could be gaps in dispensing troops ration, they could be isolated cases that would have received prompt attention if brought to knowledge of the authority through available channels of communication, as the GOC places premium on the well-being of his troops.
“The Division also wishes to state that it not only recognizes the importance of ensuring the well-being of its officers and soldiers, but also understands the positive impact it will have on their performance and overall morale. Consequently, we will remain dedicated to the welfare and well-being of our troops and will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure that they are adequately catered for”.
While stressing that such stories of poor feeding could be a ploy by harbingers of insecurity to dampen the morale of the troop and cause disharmony amongst them, Eze maintained that they will continue to sustain the successes against banditry and terrorism not only in Zamfara but all the states of northwest.
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