By Nkechi Eze
The Joint Task Force Operation Fansan Yamma has dismissed claims that troops are being provided with contaminated food and water in Zamfara and Katsina States. According to the task force, these allegations are entirely false and misleading.
A signed statement made available to journalists by the Coordinator Joint Media Coordination Centre, Lt. Col. Abubakar Abdullahi states that the attention of the Joint Task Force Operation Fansan Yamma has been drawn to a recent publication by an online media alleging that troops are being provided with poisonous food and unhealthy drinking water in the field in Zamfara and Katsina States. This claim is not only false but also grossly misleading.
According to Lt. Col. Abubakar Abdullahi, “Operation Fansan Yamma wishes to clarify that 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.
“Additionally, the Nigerian Army Engineers ensure a steady supply of clean drinking water through constructed boreholes, fully compliant with all hygienic regulations.
“If these allegations were true, our troops would not remain healthy, alert, and capable of consistently achieving operational successes in the Theatre.
“Regarding unpaid allowances, we want to emphasize that the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has been diligently addressing this matter.
“Despite budgetary constraints, operational allowances have been paid up to February 2025, with only March 2025 pending—scheduled for disbursement by the end of the month.
“This underscores the DHQ’s commitment to ensuring that troops receive their rightful entitlements on time.
“In terms of troop rotations, we stress that personnel are redeployed appropriately by their respective units. Any perceived delays primarily affect personnel from Northwest Theatre-based units. Structured measures are already in place to facilitate their posting in batches.
“It is essential to recognize that these delays are due to broader manpower shortages across all theatres, making large-scale immediate rotations challenging.
“The DHQ is actively working to resolve these systemic issues to enhance operational efficiency.
“We urge media outlets to prioritize accuracy and responsibility in their reporting. Misinformation not only undermines troop morale but also erodes public trust in the Armed Forces’ efforts.
“We call on the media to engage in balanced, fact-based journalism that reflects the complexities of the operations, rather than disseminating unfounded claims that detract from the sacrifices of our gallant troops in Operation Fansan Yamma.”
