The Nigerian Army has launched an investigation into allegations of gross misconduct against Brigadier General MA Sadiq, the former Commander of the 3 Brigade in Kano State.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that the general is currently detained in a military police guardroom in Abuja over the alleged diversion of rice palliatives, and selling of military equipment, including generator sets and operational vehicles, to scrap yards.
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters gave the rice to brigades nationwide for distribution to soldiers as a palliative but General Sadiq allegedly refused to share it with his men in Kano State.
It was also gathered that the embattled general stole many official equipment belonging to the military, including a MIKANO heavy-duty generator, at Military Training Camp, Falgore, Kano and sold them to metal scrap dealers.
Based on these allegations, General Sadiq has been replaced by Brigadier General A.M. Tukur, a former registrar of the Nigerian Defence Academy, it was further gathered.
A press statement issued by Major General Director Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu on Wednesday and obtained by SaharaReporters, claimed General Sadiq has been relieved of his command to ensure a thorough investigation in o the matter.
The statement reads: “The Nigerian Army has been inundated with media reports regarding the immediate past Commander 3 Brigade Kano, Brigadier General MA Sadiq, who is currently undergoing military investigation into administrative discrepancies while he was Commander 3 Brigade. Consequently, the senior officer has been relieved of command to ensure a thorough investigation.
“The Nigerian Army being a self-regulatory institution founded on the bedrock of discipline, justice, and accountability, has zero tolerance for indiscipline and will therefore not condone any form of misconduct or illicit actions and inactions that could undermine the threshold of its values and principles.
“The Nigerian Army assures both our internal and external publics that the allegations will be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate administrative action will be taken. Our commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity and transparency remains unwavering.
“We guarantee that the process will be fair, impartial, and in line with our established procedures.”