Military has enough trained soldiers to fight terrorists without mercenaries - DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has denied reports in some section of the media that it has resorted to using mercenaries to fight Boko Haram terrorists in the North East.

Describing as "utterly scurrilous and a calculated attempt to smear the good image of the Nigerian military", the DHQ in a statement signed by Acting Director Defence Information, Col. Rabe Abubakar said that "The orchestrated campaign is aimed at rubbishing the efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies who are working hard to contain the insurgencies in the North East.

"To this end the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) wishes to state that the military has enough trained soldiers to fight the terrorists in the North East without resorting to the use of mercenaries." the statement said.

The DHQ spokesperson further said that the military has significantly up-scaled its troops and equipment deployment since the Presidential mandate and does not need mercenaries whether foreign or local to rout out and put an effective end to guerrilla movements in the North East within the allotted time.

"DHQ therefore wishes to state that the report is a covert campaign of blackmail by disgruntled elements in society designed to pit the Nigerian people against their armed forces." the statement added, noting that those blackmailing the military are unhappy with its progress "because their illicit gains in the war has been effectively stopped."

"The military authority hereby wishes to appeal to the general public to discontinuance of this unfounded rumours and give the armed forces their support and encouragement in the ongoing war against terror and not giving in to cheap blackmail and propaganda." the statement further added.