By Asuquo Cletus Felix
The Nigerian Army has denied cutting water supply as well as subjecting its Soldiers in Maimalari Cantonment, 7 division Maiduguri, Borno State
to harsh unbearable conditions.
In a Facebook post seen by Street news on Friday, the army said it was reacting to a false and malicious publication by Sahara Reporter, which alleged that the soldiers were subjected to acute suffering due to unavailability of water supply and electricity.
On 12 June 2024, Sahara Reporters, in a publication titled ” Soldiers At Nigerian Cantonment Decry Harsh Conditions: ‘Theatre Commander Shaiba Cut Off Our Water Supply, Left Us To Buy Water At N2,000 Daily”, had alleged that the soldiers in the Cantonment were suffering at the hands of their Theatre Commander, Major General W. Shaiba.
Sahara had also alleged that a billion monthly budget for the affairs of the theatre command operation, was allegedly diverted by the theater commander, leading to lack of water supply and suffering by the soldiers.
Speaking in the reaction titled
“RE: SOLDIERS AT NIGERIAN CANTONMENT DECRY HARSH CONDITIONS THEATRE COMMANDER SHAIBA CUT OFF OUR WATER SUPPLY LEAVING US TO BUY WATER AT 2,000 DAILY, signed by Lieutenant Colonel Ajemasu Jingina, deputy director army Public relations, It noted, that the publication is a false, malicious, ill-intended report, aimed at causing a distraction among the troops.
” The attention of Headquarters 7 Division Operation HADIN KAI located in Maimalari Military Cantonment has been drawn to a false and malicious publication, making the rounds on social media published by Sahara Reporters dated 12 June 2024. The publication had alleged that soldiers in Maimalari Military Cantonment were subjected to acute suffering due to the unavailability of electricity, water, and other social amenities in the Cantonment. The Headquarters 7 Division wishes to state in clear terms that the report is false and mere insinuation.
” Presently, residents of Maimalari Military Cantonment are not facing challenges of water and electricity supply, as the Cantonment enjoys regular supply of electricity and water. Overtime, the Nigerian Army has made provision for boreholes that compliment the pipe-borne water equally supplied by the Cantonment Maintenance Group, the Engineering Unit responsible for maintenance of amenities in the Cantonment.
” The general public and our gallant troops are therefore advised to disregard the publication in its entirety as this publication is a campaign of calumny targeted at the leadership of Operations HADIN KAI to cause disaffection among our gallant troops who are giving their best towards the restoration of peace in the entire Theatre of operations.”- It reads in part.
