The Nigerian army has reacted to the accusation of extortion levelled against troops in the frontline of battle against Boko Haram in the north east by Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno state.

The LagosTimes had reported how the governor berated soldiers on the Damaturu-Maiduguri road whom he accused of extorting commuters.

Zulum was on his way to Jakana, a community where Boko Haram insurgents unleashed mayhem on Saturday, when he ran into a gridlock at one of the checkpoints.

Reacting, Aminu Iliyasu, army operations media coordinator, in a statement said the governors outrage was capable of eroding the gains of the military in the fight against terrorism.

He added that such public scolding from the governor could proved counterproductive, and could play into the hands of the terrorists.

He, however, assured the public that army would investigate the allegation.

“In the said publication, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum was alleged to have accused soldiers of Operation LAFIYA DOLE deployed along Maiduguri – Damaturu Road of extorting commuters and causing them unnecessary hardship,” he said.

“The Nigerian Army as a professional and disciplined institution views such allegations seriously, particularly coming from a State Executive. It is on record that, whenever such allegations of troops’ misconduct were made in the past, the Nigerian Army never reneged in conducting thorough investigations to establish them and where any infractions were established against any personnel, appropriate sanctions were applied in line with extant rules and regulations as provided for in the Armed Forces Act CAP A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

“Thus, the Nigerian Army wishes to assure the good people of Borno State and indeed the nation at large that any allegations of misconduct by Nigerian Army troops will be duly investigated and culprits will be dealt with accordingly.

“However, it is important to unequivocally observe that public outburst particularly by eminent personalities such as a State Executive could be counterproductive and indeed capable of reversing the gains recorded so far in the ongoing fight against insurgents and other criminal elements across the nation.”

The army said it was dedicated to ending insurgency in troubled the north-east and other forms of nefarious activities across the country.

It also charged the citizens to be supportive and cooperative, and should not hesitate in reporting any misdemeanour of the troops by calling a toll – free code 193 for immediate remedy.

Zulum who later visited the army headquarters on Tuesday expressed his delight with the army’s decision to investigate the matter.

Isa Gusau, the governor’s spokesperson, in a statement issued after the visit, said: “Yesterday’s encounter does not and will not change the very high regard the Governor has for all the security personnel operating in Borno, particularly soldiers who give up their lives and safety in finding peace for Borno.”