Deserting the military, no different from terrorism – Olukolade

Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, on Tuesday described desertion from the military as a crime that was as serious as terrorism.

Olukolade said this in an interview with NAN while reacting to the claim that soldiers deployed to the North-East zone of the country to fight insurgency were deserting the military.

“Desertion is a very serious crime in the military; it is as criminal as the terrorist himself and we have our ways of dealing with desertion.

“We don’t believe that correct good soldiers will desert under whatever condition and for the condition being slated.

“It is clear that the authorities are making the best effort to improve on this situation. For welfare and equipment, there has been incremental development to ensure that issues involved are addressed and it should not be an excuse for anybody.

“It is an act of gross indiscipline and is not expected of any serious, good soldier.”

The director also reiterated the military’s resolve not to concede any part of the country to terrorists or any group.

He said that reports of the hosting of flags by the insurgents in certain local government areas in Borno were mere rumours.

“As far as we are concerned in the Nigerian Armed Forces, we will not allow any strange flag to fly anywhere or on any portion of the Nigeria soil.

“We not are ready to concede any portion of this country to insurgents or any other authority other than the authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Any strange flag flying anywhere is illegal and we have not conceded any portion of the country where a flag different from the flag of Nigeria should be flown.“

He said that the military operation in the North-East was achieving the plan and aim of stemming and stamping out terrorism.

Olukolade said that the operation was on course and that every effort was being made to ensure that terrorist activities were stopped in that part of the country and peace and security restored.

“We believe that with the tempo of operation it should achieve that objective in due course,” Olukolade stated.