DHQ Orders Probe of Attack on NDA

Kingsley Nwezeh

Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Wednesday announced the constitution of a board of inquiry to look into the circumstances sorrouding the invasion of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, which led to the killing of two military officers and the abduction of one other by unknown gunmen.
It said search and rescue operation for the missing personnel was ongoing.

It said the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, directed the management of the military institution to constitute a board of inquiry to look into the incident.

The military high command also denied that the personnel manning the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) slept on duty when the institution was attacked by suspected bandits.

A statement signed by the Director, Defence Information (DDI), Maj. Gen. Benjamin Sawyerr, said the board, whose membership was not disclosed, will ascertain the remote and immediate causes of the security breach.

The board is also expected to sanction any personnel found culpable and make recommendations to prevent a future occurrence.

“Let me use this opportunity, to reiterate that the NDA authorities, acting on the directive of the Chief of Defence Staff has constituted a board of enquiry to ascertain the remote and immediate cause(s) of the breach of security with a view to sanctioning any personnel found culpable and also prevent future occurrence.

“Let me also assure that we shall continue to update the general public as events unfold as we are all aware the search and rescue of the abducted officer is still on. Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue with its operations to ensure all those involved in the dastardly act are brought to justice”, it said.

Meanwhile, the statement denied reports that personnel on duty at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) CCTV monitoring room were sleeping when bandits attacked the officers’ residential quarters leading to the death of two officers and the abduction of one other officer.

Defence Headquarters noted that the AFN as a professional force consisted of highly trained personnel who are dedicated to their duties of protecting lives and property of all Nigerians.
“Let me also assure that we shall continue to update the general public as events unfold as we are all aware the search and rescue of the abducted officer is still on.

“Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue with its operations to ensure all those involved in the dastardly act are brought to justice”, it said.