Army Removes Texas Chukwu As Spokesman For ‘Embarrassing’ Nigerian Military

Brigadier General Texas Chukwu has been removed as the spokesperson of the Nigerian Army, according to a report.

Chukwu was removed as the mouthpiece of the Army for allegedly subjecting the Nigerian military to “embarrassment” due to his inability to properly manage the public image of the Service amidst the ongoing war against Boko Haram insurgency in the country.

“Chukwu was not attune with media management and did not sustain the efforts already in place,” TheCable quoted a source in the military as saying.

The newspaper also reports that the former spokesperson of the Army, Sani Usman, had since been reinstated as the new spokesperson of the Service. Usman was said to have vacated the position to embark on a course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, Jos.

Speaking of Chukwu, the military source was quoted as saying, “A good public relations officer always responds to critical national issues on time and provides solutions. His inefficiency did not only affect the army’s efforts but made the military a subject of embarrassment in the eyes of the world.

“Chukwu’s handling of the recent Boko Haram incidents did not help in managing the situation, thereby embarrassing the chief of army staff and the commander-in-chief,” he said.

Speaking, however, to the newspaper on why he was removed as the Army spokesperson, Chukwu said, “There must be progress. I’m going to NIPSS for study. You know there are some courses you would take before getting promoted to major-general. It’s true. I’m no more the army spokesman. SK Usman would take over. He just returned from course, too.”

THE WHISTLER, however, reports that Chukwu’s removal came less than two weeks after the military lost several soldiers resulting from the attack on Metele military base in Borno State by a faction of the Boko Haram insurgents known as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The Army had been criticized for not speaking on the attack close to one week after it happened.

Meanwhile, Speaking on his reinstatement as the new Army spokesman, Usman said, “I wish to on behalf of my family thank all those that called or sent congratulatory messages as I graduated from NIPSS, Kuru, bagged the highly respected Membership of the National Institute (mni) and inducted into the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) since Saturday 24th November 2018.

“I also like to inform you that I have also been reappointed as Director Army Public Relations with effect from Monday 26th November 2018. I look forward to your continued support and cooperation. May God continue to bless and protect you and your family,” he told TheCable.