THE Nigerian military High Command has detained and is currently investigating the former Commander of 3 Brigade, Kano, Brig-Gen. M.A. Sadiq, over allegations of misconduct.
Sadiq is being accused of diverting rice palliatives meant for soldiers, as well as selling military equipment, including generating sets and operational vehicles, to scrap vendors.
Sources said he was being detained by the military Police in Abuja as investigations rev up.
It was gathered that the rice was provided by the Defence Headquarters to be distributed to soldiers as palliatives on at least three occasions, but Sadiq allegedly shared only 5kg of rice with the soldiers once and sold the remaining supplies.
In addition to the rice diversion, he is accused of removing a MIKANO heavy-duty generator from the Military Training Camp in Falgore, Kano, and selling it as scrap.
Meanwhile, Sadiq has been replaced by Brig-Gen. A.M. Tukur, a former registrar of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), who is now in charge of 3 Brigade Kano.
Director of Army Public Relations, Maj-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, who confirmed that Sadiq was being investigated for “administrative discrepancies” during his tenure, assuring that the Nigerian Army, known for its discipline and accountability, would conduct a fair and thorough investigation.
Nwachukwu stressed the Army’s zero tolerance for misconduct, saying: “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.”
If found culpable, Sadiq could face a court-martial, even as the Army has promised to handle the case with integrity and ensure that justice is served.
