Unbelievable: NDA Cadets Give Uniforms To Fulani Herdsmen

NDA cadets during training

The some cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy have allegedly sneaking out from the camp and giving their uniforms and boots to Fulani herdsmen.
The NDA has howerver launched a full-scale investigation to unravel the culprits involved.

The NDA Public Relations Officer, Major Musa Yahaya, stated this, noting that any cadet discovered to be absent from the academy for a period of 72 hours ceased to be a cadet.

Some aggrieved Nigerians, who claimed to have witnessed the cadets sneaking out of the camp on Airport Road, Kaduna State, raised the alarm, noting that the military uniforms being given to the Fulani herdsmen might be used for criminal activities.

An Eye Witness Raliyah, said the danger of cadets dropping their uniforms with Fulani gatemen before sneaking out of the camp, could lead to hoodlums using the camouflage to perpetrate crimes.

Raliyah, who claimed to have seen the cadets on several occasions, said, “I noticed the happenings in the NDA which could be a big threat in the nearest future if something is not done about it. Cadets, who are meant to go out only when it is official, tend to sneak out of the premises. But this is not a problem.

“The issue is that they sneak out in their military uniform. They then go to some Fulani gatemen around the academy to change into casual wear. They leave behind their uniform, boots and so on with these Fulani men for as long as three days.

“My concern is how the cadets leave their military wear behind. Sooner or later, the uniform may be used to commit atrocities in society if they have not even started doing so. The rate of robbery, kidnapping and killings by uniformed men is alarming. We want the appropriate authorities to do something immediately.”

Another commentator, identified only as Musa, said, “This is absolutely correct. There are ways for the cadets to go out for days without the academy authorities knowing. Though checks can be conducted, there are ways to cover up even on parade. When they are caught, they are punished and even dismissed, but it happens.

“My boss and his driver, while they were coming from the airport after his flight was postponed, escaped being attacked by some Fulanimen in army uniform. The army should investigate this.”

The Nigerian Army had its Twitter handle said that it would “investigate the allegation, as matters of internal security concern every citizen.”

The NDA has also said in a statement that it would look into the matter.

Yahaya said, “Our attention has been drawn to the activities of some cadets of the academy, absconding from the institution for days and keeping their military uniforms and other property in the care of Fulani herdsmen.

“The NDA genuinely appreciates the vigilance and assures that the academy authorities have duly noted the observations and a full-scale investigation is underway.

“Furthermore, we wish to reinforce the confidence of the public that our cadets are being trained under the strictest and most disciplined environment, as befitting of a world-class military training institution.

“There are established procedures and guidelines that ensure cadets remain in the academy. All cadets are to remain in the academy except when duly authorised to leave, as provided by the rules and regulations of the NDA.

“For instance, any cadet discovered to be absent from the academy for a period of 72 hours will be Struck of Strength (SOS) and ceases to be a cadet of the academy.”