Army reinstates 3,032 sacked soldiers

The Nigeria Army said yesterday that Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) still occupy Sambisa forest and other territories in the North East. The army also said 3,032 soldiers have been reinstated into the army after a review of 5000 cases of those dismissed over offenses committed in the fight against Boko Haram. Army spokesman Colonel Sani […]

The Nigeria Army said yesterday that Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) still occupy Sambisa forest and other territories in the North East.
The army also said 3,032 soldiers have been reinstated into the army after a review of 5000 cases of those dismissed over offenses committed in the fight against Boko Haram.
Army spokesman Colonel Sani Usman made this known while fielding questions from journalists at a press conference in Abuja.
Colonel Usman said: “Yes, because if you look at even Sambisa forest its Nigerian territory and we still have Boko Haram there.”
He added that apart from Sambisa, there are some pockets of Boko Haram occupied territories in the North East: “I just don’t want to give you the places now, for obvious reasons,” he noted. However Usman said the Nigeria Army, the Nigeria Air Force as well as other security agencies are confident that before the deadline of three months, Boko Haram terrorism will be a thing of the past.
Colonel Usman also said the committee set up to review the cases after its sitting last week made recommendations that led to the reinstatement of the dismissed soldiers.
According to him, the reviewed cases were instituted to ensure discipline, regimentation and justice in the system, adding that the reinstated soldiers have shown total readiness to be sent back to fight terrorists in the north east.
Usman stated that the soldiers have commenced a retraining exercise at the Nigerian army training centre, Kontagora, Niger State, so as to prepare them for the closing stage of the operation to wipe out Boko Haram. However, he pointed out that not all the dismissed soldiers were granted pardon noting that: “those with criminal cases for instance, have their sentences upheld.”
Daily Trust had reported that soldiers in the war front were alleging they did not have proper arms to confront the insurgents, whom they claim have more sophisticated weaponry.
Then Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah instituted several military courts martial that led to the dismissal of hundreds of soldiers.