Boko Haram: FG Faults Reports of Troops’ Starvation, Underpayment in North-east

Iyobosa Uwugiaren

The federal government has dismissed as unfounded, the allegations that troops fighting against insurgency in the North-east were underpaid and subjected to hunger.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said yesterday that the claims were found to be untrue, following the conclusion of investigation ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari to establish the veracity of claims that troops were fighting Boko Haram in deplorable conditions.

He also said Boko Haram, which started like local issue had taken international dimension, stating however that the terrorist group had been ‘’decapitated.’’

‘’Today, Boko Haram is being funded by ISIS and other terrorist groups. But the federal government has decapitated Boko Haram. There was a time when Abuja was not safe. But it is no longer the same.

‘’There was a time many local governments were under the control of Boko Haram. That has changed; we are sure we have curtained the deadly activities of Boko Haram.

‘’There was a time banks, schools, telecommunications were closed — in 2015. But it is no longer the same’’, the minister added.

On the welfare of the troops, the federal government’s spokesman said it is laughable to say that the troops are being paid N500 per day.

Mohammed said in view of the grave security implication of the allegations contained in the publication, President Buhari ordered an investigation determine its veracity.

“Gentlemen, the investigation has since been concluded and, in line with the transparent stance of this Administration, I have invited you here today to share with you the outcome. The summary of the findings is that there is no case of hunger, starvation or begging among the troops fighting in the North-East, and in particular in the Armed Forces Special Forces Battalion that was referenced in the publication. to