(AA) – The Nigerian army on Friday criticized neighboring Niger for accusing Nigerian forces of being “cowards”, a move that could derail an emerging regional alliance against Boko Haram group.
“The Nigerien Defense Ministry’s irresponsible comment is noted. It is sad a few partisan elements join the poor country to insult poor troops,” army spokesman Chris Olukolade wrote on Twitter.
Olukolade accused Nigerien soldiers of “looting” and acting as “mercenaries” and providing support for militants.
“Welcome our friends from Niger. No way for your infamous looting here. How the poor country compensates its soldiers and they claim they don’t run,” Olukolade said.
“Our soldiers have been defending our people and nation’s wealth from mercenaries supplied to Boko Haram by those who boast that they don’t run,” he added.
“We don’t cross our boundaries. It is unacceptable for any foreign government to say our soldiers run,” the army spokesman said.
Reports of the Nigerien army disparaging their Nigerian counterparts had flooded the blogosphere in recent days with the Nigerian opposition latching onto it to criticize the President Goodluck Jonathan’s government.
Olukolade insisted that the Nigerian troops have “acted with decency and professionalism” over the years.
“Nigerian soldiers remain undaunted despite attacks and insults. They have been maximizing the use of available resources to keep at bay these terrorists who keep flooding in from around,” he said.
“Our troops have with due decency and professionalism respected borders unlike others reputed for looting, mercenary engagement/collaboration with terrorists as a way of surviving the poverty in their country.”
Nigeria is currently launching a counter-terrorism operation in its restive northeast, recently joined by its neighbors Chad and Niger in an arrangement comprising 7,500 troops sealed by the African Union.
