Don’t be used against interest of the army, group tells CSOs

The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET) has advised civil society organisations (CSOs) not to be used against the interest of the army.

The group said this in response to the demand made on the expenses of the fight against insurgency.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Gbemisola Osaloni, executive director of the group, said those interested in the amount spent on the Boko Haram war should go to the field.

“The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET), a civil society organisation at the vanguard for social justice and transparency in Nigeria, is against the call for the 2015, 2016 and 2017 budget implementation reports of the Nigeria Army, Osaloni said.

“CESJET wishes to use this medium to challenge them to undertake a trip to the Theatre of Operations to get the needed information.

“We reject moves to destabilise military operations in warfare. CESJET also views the call as against National interest. Such a request that is capable of jeopardising the efforts of the Nigeria Army in its ongoing operations across the country.

“Furthermore, the information requested would not serve the national interest, public welfare, public interest and peace, human rights, good governance, transparency and accountability. The gains recorded by the Nigeria Army in the past three years are there for all to see especially in its operations in North East Nigeria and other parts of the country.

“CESJET wishes to state group should not be allowed to be used against the interest of the country.”