NDA Attack: DHQ Denies Personnel Monitoring CCTV Were Sleeping

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has denied that personnel in charge of monitoring CCTV were sleeping when bandits attacked the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) on Tuesday.

The assailants had reportedly invaded the NDA residential quarters and killed two officers, while a major was abducted.

The DHQ described the allegation as false and one capable of “tarnishing the good image and reputation of personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), in the eyes of the civil populace”.

The statement read in part, “It is perhaps important to mention that the AFN as a professional force consist of highly trained personnel who are dedicated to their duties of protecting lives and property of all Nigerians.

“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 sanction 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”.

Meanwhile, the bandits were said to have contacted a “trusted negotiator” who was selected by the abducted victim to negotiate the sum of N200m as ransom to release to release kidnapped major.