In a bid to put an end to assaults on motorists by armed forces personnel, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Paul Dike, yesterday barred all categories of military officers except himself and the Service Chiefs from using siren.
And following the new directive, the CDS and Service Chiefs must use the siren “sparingly and when absolutely necessary.”
This was part of the new disciplinary guidelines for the conduct of all military personnel in and out of the barracks and on all operational areas released yesterday in Abuja.
Director, Defence Information, Col. Chris Jemitola, told journalists that the CDS had also placed a ban on the use of horsewhip by all military personnel, stating that, “the horsewhip is not part of military uniform and will not be tolerated to be seen in the possession of anyone.”
He said with the Nigerian military “in the transformation gear,” the CDS had directed the maintenance of zero tolerance for all forms of corruption and indiscipline.
Some Naval ratings in the convoy of Rear Admiral Harry Arogundade had recently assaulted Miss Uzoma Okere on the road in Lagos, a development that had attracted negative publicity for the military.
Military officers that will be affected by the new directive on the use of sirens include the three General Officers Commanding (GOC) in the Army and their equivalents in the Navy and Air Force as well as other two-star generals and their equivalents in the other two arms of the military.
Jemitola said: “The Armed Forces of Nigeria is in the process of transformation into a more professional force while improving its civil-military relations. The military also requires the cooperation of the public in the maintenance of peace and security of the country. But the CDS has noted the unacceptable use of sirens and horsewhips to terrorise and force other road users off the road with the dire consequences it has created in some cases.
“These acts do not portray the military as a noble and respected profession. Rather, it brings bad publicity before the public that the military is supposed to serve and protect.
“Additionally, the CDS has noted the rise in social vices and high level of criminality seen to be perpetrated by miscreants and jobless characters residing in the barracks and bases who sometimes use military gears illegally. A definite stop must be put to all these acts in order to make these military barracks and bases as secured as possible.”
He said all the miscreants must be arrested and handed over to the police.
According to him, with the new directives, any military personnel caught violating the directive would face full military law and dealt with accordingly.
Meanwhile, the CDS has charged all soldiers on peacekeeping operations to adhere to all the guidelines as stipulated in their Terms And Condition of Service (TACOS) as any act of indiscipline would be strictly punished.
Dike just came back from a two-day working visit to meet with the leadership of United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and the Nigerian troops in the area.
Addressing troops of the Nigerian Contingent (NIGCOM) serving at their operational Headquarters in Nyala, South Darfur Sector, Dike said while Nigeria appreciated their contributions towards peacekeeping in the region, it would not be worthwhile if the troops lacked discipline.
He said: “I find it very disturbing and totally unacceptable for a Nigerian commissioned officer to be repatriated as a result of acts that are not in line with basic principles. I find it very difficult to believe that soldiers will be caught shoplifting or in the sale of items meant for the troop welfare? I have received so many complaints. I want to believe they are not true. But if they are, then I am a little bit disturbed. I am determined to make a difference, to make sure that your stay here is as comfortable as it should. But I am not prepared to accept certain individuals trying to make life a little bit difficult for us.
“We appreciate what you are doing. But that’s where it stays. We cannot say because you are here, we accept acts of indiscipline that will rubbish all the efforts of the Federal Government. So, while we are prepared to make life easier for you here, you equally have a role to play, by ensuring that you project yourself as a disciplined force. No matter how committed you are, no matter how intelligent we think we are, if the aspect of discipline is not properly tackled, then the overall objective as to why you are here will not be achieved. That is why I am putting it bluntly to you that you must change your attitude, right from the top to the lowest person here. No amount of sacrifice can be appreciated if discipline is low. In fact, if you are not disciplined, all your sacrifice comes to nothing. If any of you is found wanting and is brought back home, you know what it means.”
Nigeria is one of the highest Troop Contributing Countries (TCC) in UNAMID. In Southern Darfur alone, Nigerian has three battalions. A battalion consists of 800 composite soldiers.
Other elements of the Nigerian Army include a 23×43 Medical Level Two hospital with 1×29 Protection Platoon and about 58 Staff Officers/Military Observers (MILOBs) serving at various headquarters and locations in the mission. Nigeria also has about 180 Un Police (UNPOL) advisors.
The Sector South headquarters is in Nyala and the Nigerian troops are being co-hosted with other supporting elements – UNPOL, Chinese Engineering coy, Pakistani Level II hospital, Egyptian Troop coy, Bangladesh multi-role logistics unit, Bangladesh and Nepal Formed Police units.
Dec242008