Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, has ordered
investigation into alleged misconduct by soldiers at an
internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Bama,
Borno state.

Buratai gave the order less than 24 hours after
TheCable published a report on the plights of some
female IDPs.

The women had accused some soldiers and members
of civilian JTF, a local vigilance group, of demanding
sex in exchange for favours.

They also said some of their husbands were being
detained in military barracks and Maiduguri maximum
prison “for offences they did not commit”.

The aggrieved women wrote a petition to the national
assembly, seeking the intervention of federal
lawmakers.

However, on Monday, Buratai said though the
allegations had not been substantiated, a thorough
investigation should be carried out.

He said under his watch, the army would not condone
indiscipline.

“The Nigerian army has noted with great concern
growing allegations of misconduct against some
persons on security duties at internally displaced
persons’ camp in Bama, Borno state,” Sani Usman,
spokesman of the army, said in a statement.

“We would like to state that Nigerian Army personnel
have been doing their best in bringing peace and
security in various parts of the country especially in
the north-east, any act of misconduct could negatively
impact on these good works.

“Although these allegations are unsubstantiated, the
chief of army staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu
Buratai has today directed that the matter be
thoroughly investigated by both the director military
intelligence and provost marshal (army).

“We would like to reiterate that the Nigerian army has
zero tolerance for any misconduct among its officers
and soldiers especially those that are trusted with
onerous responsibility of guarding and securing those
internally displaced persons’ camps. Anyone found
culpable, would be severely dealt with.

“We would like to enjoin the public to please take
advantage of the newly established Nigerian Army
information and call Centre to report any such issue
and other security concern by calling the short code
193 using any of the telecommunication service
providers in Nigeria or through email
atna.callcentre@army.mil.ng.

TheCable