Army accuses UNICEF of training spies, supporting terrorists
By The Nigerian Army has accused the United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) of engaging in acts capable of undermining the ongoing counterterrorism operations in the North East.
Accordingly, the Army has announced the indefinite suspension of all humanitarian activities carried out UNICEF in in the North East.
The announcement was made in a statement Friday by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations (Theatre Command), Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu.
The Army presicated its action on alleged “credible information” to the effect that UNICEF was engaging in activities that were capable of undermining the ongoing counterterrorism and counter-insurgency operations in the troubled region.
The Army claimed that the global body was training and deploying spies, with the sole aim of lending support to suspected terrorists’ elements, and their sympathisers.
Nwachukwu, said the suspension was indefinite, even as the Army has vowed to ensure the protection of lives and property of citizens.
“The Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole has observed with dismay that some of the activities of International humanitarian agencies and Non-governmental organisations’ operating in the North East have left so much to be desired.
“There is credible information that some of them are indulging in unwholesome practices that could further jeopardise the fight against terrorism and insurgency, as they train and deploy spies who support the insurgents and their sympathisers”, Nwachukwu said.
Nwachukwu expressed regret that an organisation, established primary to provide humanitarian services at crisis and war-turn zones, will constitute itself into an alleged agent of demotalisation.
“It is baffling to note that some of these organizations have been playing the terrorists’ script with the aim to continue demoralizing the troops who are doing so much to protect the lives of victims of Boko Haram Terrorism and safe guard them from wanton destruction of property and means the of livelihood.
“The Theatre Command considers the actions of these organizations as a direct assault and insult on the sensibilities of Nigerians, as they tend to benefit more from expanding the reign of terror on our people.
“Consequently, the Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole is suspending the operations of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in the North East theatre until further notice”, the Army said.
The Service further noted that: “This has become inevitable since the organization has abdicated its primary duty of catering for the wellbeing of children and the vulnerable through humanitarian activities and now engaged in training selected persons for clandestine activities to continue sabotaging the counter terrorism and Counter insurgency efforts of troops through spurious and unconfirmed allegations bothering on alleged violations of human rights by the military.
“Information within the reach of this Command specifically indicates that the organization commenced the said training on Wednesday 12 December 2018 at the Ministry of Finance Conference Hall, Musa Usman Secretariat, Maiduguri and ended on 13 Thursday December 2018. The Theatre command will not tolerate this kind of sabotage from any individual, group of persons or organisation.”
It, therefore, called “on all NGOs and members of humanitarian agencies to keep to their legitimate norms in the discharge of their acclaimed humanitarian duties.
Please disseminate this information to the general public through your news medium”.
Stella Enenche, Abuja