The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major Gen. Emmanuel Kabuk, today admitted that some soldiers sell arms and ammunition to criminals.
The GOC has therefore warned soldiers in Anambra State to desist from taking bribes from motorists as well as selling arms and ammunition to criminals in the state.
Kabuk said that any soldier caught in such grievous offenses would be dismissed from service and prosecuted, adding that the soldiers should discharge their duties diligently without fear or favour.
The new GOC of 82 Division gave the warning when he visited the 302 Artillery Regiment, General Support, Onitsha, Anambra State, as part of his ongoing familiarisation visit to various commands and formations in the division, after he assumed office on August 6.
Kabuk, who was given a tour by the commander of 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, Col. Idonegist Akan, after a closed-door meeting, inspected various sections of the command, including an erosion site at the barracks that was currently threatening the area.
The GOC, while addressing the soldiers, said that he had taken note of the challenges, especially the renovation of residential quarters.
He promised to channel them to the Chief of Army Staff, who he said was passionate about the welfare of soldiers, for the onward tackling of the problem.
“We are aware that some of you at the checkpoints collects bribe from motorists along the roads. Stop collecting bribe on the road.
It will not help you, it would not solve any problem, rather it would bring curses to you and your family. Anybody caught in such acts would be sacked and prosecuted.
Some of the motorists curse such money before giving it to you, out of anger, and after that, it would be hurting you and your family. If you have been indulging in such acts, ask God for forgiveness.
“Some of you sell arms and ammunition to criminals, without knowing that such ammunition could be used to kill your family members. You have to desist from such acts capable of ruining your job because it will put you in trouble,” he said.
