The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) said it had launched a full-scale investigation to unravel some cadets allegedly sneaking out from the camp and giving their uniforms and boots to Fulani herdsmen.
The NDA Public Relations Officer, Major Musa Yahaya, stated this, noting that any cadet discovered to be absent from the academy for a period of 72 hours ceased to be a cadet.
Our correspondent had exclusively reported on Thursday that some aggrieved Nigerians, who claimed to have witnessed the cadets sneaking out of the camp on Airport Road, Kaduna State, raised the alarm, noting that the military uniforms being given to the Fulani herdsmen might be used for criminal activities.
The Nigerian Army had its Twitter handle said that it would “investigate the allegation, as matters of internal security concern every citizen.”
The NDA has also said in a statement that it would look into the matter.
Yahaya said, “Our attention has been drawn to the activities of some cadets of the academy, absconding from the institution for days and keeping their military uniforms and other property in the care of Fulani herdsmen.
“The NDA genuinely appreciates the vigilance and assures that the academy authorities have duly noted the observations and a full-scale investigation is underway.
“Furthermore, we wish to reinforce the confidence of the public that our cadets are being trained under the strictest and most disciplined environment, as befitting of a world-class military training institution.
“There are established procedures and guidelines that ensure cadets remain in the academy. All cadets are to remain in the academy except when duly authorised to leave, as provided by the rules and regulations of the NDA.
“For instance, any cadet discovered to be absent from the academy for a period of 72 hours will be Struck of Strength (SOS) and ceases to be a cadet of the academy.” – Punch.
