By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
The Nigerian Army remains neutral and does not take sides with any political groups or parties, but remains focused on its constitutional roles of protecting the nation’s territorial integrity.
The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Muhammad Dole reaffirmed this while interacting with some journalists in Kaduna at the weekend.
According to him, the alleged involvement of soldiers in the demolition of the factional All Progressives Congress (APC) office on Sambo Road in Kaduna last week is being investigated.
“Those accusing the Army may have sighted the Kaduna State security outfit, Operation Yaki, which is comprised of the Army, Police and the NSCDC. Seeing them in their trucks they may have assumed they were deployed from the garrison,” he added.
Speaking further, he said that if the Army was to be taking sides, they would have backed the former ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to remain in power, but they were neutral and contributed to a successful transition from one party to another.
On relationship between officers and soldiers with the media and the public, he explained that in all courses, they are taught how to be civil and respect journalists, adding that however, it is not out of place to witness rare incidents, where soldiers behave unruly.
Colonel Dole assured citizens that the Army will always ensure the safety of lives and property, but also appealed for the members of the public to always pass on timely information to security agencies when they are suspicious or when attacked.
