The Nigerian military has accused Niger Republic's Defence Ministry of aiding Boko Haram activities in the country by supplying the terror group with mercenaries.
In a series of tweets on Thursday, Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, described soldiers from the neighbouring country as looters who collaborate with terrorists "as a way of surviving the poverty in their country."
The military spokesperson was reacting to a comment credited to Niger's Defence Ministry, suggesting that Nigerian troops are cowards.
In one of the tweets, Olukolade said,
Welcome our friends from Niger. No way for your infamous looting here. How the poor country compensates it's soldiers & claim they don't run
— Gen. Chris Olukolade (@GENOlukolade) February 12, 2015
Our soldiers have been defending our people & Nations wealth from mercenaries supplied to Boko Haram by those who boast that they don't run
— Gen. Chris Olukolade (@GENOlukolade) February 12, 2015
Olukolade criticised the comment made in a statement signed by Nigerien Defence Minister, Mahamadou Karidjo, which said, "Our soldiers are not like Nigerians. They don’t run."
Olukolade said, Nigerian soldiers are "brave" and "patriotic", adding that it was unacceptable for a foreign government to accuse them of running away from duty.
Olukolade's tweets read,
Our soldiers have remained professional & sacrificial in protecting their fellow Nigerians, preserving the nation's assets /4
— Gen. Chris Olukolade (@GENOlukolade) February 12, 2015
Despite these jeerings, insults & ill wishes from within or without Nigeria, the Nigerian Soldier has not & will not be deterred /5
— Gen. Chris Olukolade (@GENOlukolade) February 12, 2015
He remains the gallant, brave and patriotic Nigerian Soldier. Although these battles continue, and others are now joining him, never mind /6
— Gen. Chris Olukolade (@GENOlukolade) February 12, 2015
very soon, it will be #VictoryforNigeria. The Nigerian Military remains a great asset and the envy of other Nations. /7
RE: Niger
— Gen. Chris Olukolade (@GENOlukolade) February 12, 2015
The Nigerien Defence Ministry's irresponsible comment is noted. It is sad a few partisan elements join the Poor Country to insult our Troops
— Gen. Chris Olukolade (@GENOlukolade) February 12, 2015
We don't cross our boundaries. It is unacceptable for any Foreign Government to say our Soldiers run. This is your Motherland! Defend Her!
— Gen. Chris Olukolade (@GENOlukolade) February 12, 2015
Poor Niger! Treacherous ones amongst us accorded them effrontery to insult our troops to gain bad press. Don't compromise your Patriotism!
— Gen. Chris Olukolade (@GENOlukolade) February 12, 2015
At least, 750 Nigerien soldiers are among the 7,500 regional joint force currently fighting against the Boko Haram insurgents.
The leader of the Boko Haram terror group, Abubakar Shekau, had in a 36 minutes video released via YouTube, in January 2015, described Nigerian soldiers as cowards.
He said, "Your army kept deceiving the world that you can't fight us because you have no arms. Liars! You have all that it takes; you are just coward soldiers. You forgot that it is God that arms.
"Is it not amazing that we, who started with sticks and machetes, are today the biggest headache to the almighty Nigerian soldiers? What a shame!!"
In the video, a turbaned member of the group, who was with a camera, boasted about its collection of ammunition.
He said, "All these arms and ammunition you see in their thousands are gotten from Baga. As you can see, we have thousands of AK 47 rifles; we have so much that we are still conveying them to our camp here.
"We have AA, we have different kinds of them that can be mounted on vehicles. We have Shell Car; we have RPGs; we have mag and so on. We cannot just mention them. We have dozens of vehicles and thanks to God that has given us."
However, a Nigerien journalist, Patrouillle Fan Malil, described his experience with the Nigerian military as great, as reported by Nigerien online newspaper, nigerdiaspora.net.
Malil said he stayed with the Nigerian soldiers deployed in his locality in the war against the Boko Haram terrorist group in North-Eastern Mali.
He said, "Kudos to you, Nigerian soldiers deployed in Gao and Ansongo! Good luck for the fulfilment of your mission to restore the territorial integrity of Mali and population security!
"For your remarkable work, done with professionalism and bravery, you honour our country, Niger Republic appreciates you. Certainly, this is what I saw, but I know also elsewhere, you do your assignments professionally and live in harmony with the people you keep safe."
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