Military authorities deny report about frontline troops being fed with poisonous food and water in Katsina And Zamfara States

The Joint Task Force Operation Fansan Yamma has denied online media report that frontline troops in Katsina and Zamfara States are being provided with poisonous food and unhealthy drinking water.

In a statement, the Coordinator Joint Media Coordination Centre of Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, said this claim is not only false but also grossly misleading.

The statement said all meals for troops are prepared by trained cooks from the Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport, who strictly adhere to the highest standards of hygiene and nutrition.

It said Nigerian Army engineers ensure a steady supply of clean drinking water through constructed boreholes, fully compliant with all hygienic regulations, adding that if the allegations were true, the troops would not remain healthy, alert, and capable of consistently achieving operational successes in the theatre.

Regarding unpaid allowances to the troops, Abdullahi stated that the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has been diligently addressing the matter, despite budgetary constraints, emphasizing that operational allowances have been paid up to February 2025, with only March 2025 pending.

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This, he said underscores the DHQ’s commitment to ensuring that troops receive their rightful entitlements on time.

In terms of troops rotation, OPFY stressed that personnel are redeployed appropriately by their respective units, and any perceived delays primarily affect personnel from Northwest Theatre-based units, as structured measures are already in place to facilitate their posting in batches.

The statement said it is essential to recognize that these delays are due to broader manpower shortages across all theatres, making large-scale immediate rotations challenging, pointing out that the DHQ is actively working to resolve these systemic issues to enhance operational efficiency.

The military authorities therefore urged media outlets to prioritize accuracy and responsibility in their reporting, as misinformation will not only undermine troops morale but also erode public trust in the Armed Forces’ efforts.

(Editor: Okechukwu Eze)