Nigerian Army declares three Unicef staff persona non-gratia over their criticism of military operations

NIGERIAN Army commanders have declared three Unicef staff as persona non-grata following their criticism of the military operations in the northeast and claims that soldiers raped over 20 girls in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.

In the first such move of its kind the Nigerian Army has declared that Priscillia Hoveyda, Maher Farea and Milen Kidane are no longer welcome in the northeast where they were working with IDPs. They had alleged that recently, the Nigerian military raped the girls in IDP camps in Borno State.

Major General Rogers Nicholas, the theatre commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, the mission against Boko Haram, said, it is an allegation by enemies of the military and the Nigerian State. He added that it was curious that these allegations were coming at a time the military is at the verge of defeating the menace of Boko Haram and bring their criminal activities to a final end.

“The allegation falsely claimed that the Nigerian military is using children below the age of 18 years in the northeast to fight Boko Haram and it also said that some boys being detained in Giwa Barracks are being use to cook, as messengers and porters. This is unfortunate that these allegations are not only untrue but also obviously targeted to malign Nigeria and tarnish the good image of our gallant military that has launched a renewed campaign to bring to an end the menace of terrorism in the country.

“The persons who made the allegations have seen that the recent results achieved by the Military in decimating the Boko Haram terrorists is yielding positive result. They are not happy that Nigeria is at the verge of being totally liberated from the scourge of terrorism/insurgency in a very short while.” General Nicholas added.

He  also noted that it is on record that the military does not employ any under-age person to fight on its behalf or support it in whatever guise. According to the general, the Nigerian military is a thoroughbred professional organisation and upholds the fundamental rights of every citizen including children.

On the allegation of rape by the military, the theatre commander said, it is on record that no military personnel works or is deployed inside the IDP Camp within the theatre of operations. General Nicholas said that the management and operations of such camps is solely the responsibility of the various non-governmental organisations working at such facilities and the para-military organizations that provide security.

General Nicholas added: “In a few areas, the military is deployed on the outer perimeter to provide added security to enable workers at the camps to go about their duties without let or hindrance. The military personnel deployed in such areas are under strict instructions not to interfere with activities at such camps but are only there to ensure no harm is brought to workers, IDPs or any person authorised to work in the camp.

“It is therefore sad and unfortunate that somebody will sit down somewhere and concoct such false, baseless, unfounded and spurious allegation. It is certain that the persons making such allegations are deliberate in their attempts to rubbish the successes achieved so far by the gallant military and will not succeed."