Abuja – Director of Defence Information, Defence Headquarters, Brig.-Gen. Rade Abubakar, says the army is committed to purging itself of corrupt officers.

Abubakar said this on Thursday when he featured at a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) forum in Abuja.

He said the army was determined to reform and sanitise the force, adding that it would welcome ideas from all quarters for a sustained
professional excellence.

“We will reform both the system and the operators; and principally that is what we are doing.

“If you involve yourself in appropriation corruption or financial corruption, then the system cannot go on with you.

“The authority knows, they have all the information, they have all the data and they have everything.

“And principally as an officer as a personnel, we expect you to have a high level of integrity that you cannot compromise because of
anything.

“If you want to have an armed forces that can be stronger to do what the nation wants definitely such elements have to go to send a
message to those, who may think they can do things and get away with it.’’
According to him, there is no corrupt armed force that is successful.

The director however said it was important for officers to remain neutral and purposeful to their duty adding that involving in politics
was a distraction.

He observed that the military’s engagement in national activities was part of its primary duty in maintaining peace and security in the
country.

“Politicians should leave the military alone, military is not for politics, if you want to do politics you know where to go, you can
retire and join them.

“As long as we are wearing uniforms, we must be seen to be neutral, professional and must be diligent to duty to ensure that corruption in
any form is completely eradicated.

“The force is a course known for professional excellence and that must be maintained.

“Our role in elections and any other form of activities nationally is to ensure peace and security, we are not involved in anything more
than this.”

According to him, the force has Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) which guides officers in their line of duty and should not be
contravened.

Abubakar said that any officer that violates the SOP stood a chance of facing the consequences of his action.

The army on June 10 confirmed the dismissal of some of its senior officers from service following the approval of the Army
Council.

The officers were investigated for partisanship during the 2015 general elections.

The retirements of the officers were in connection with an investigation by the Presidential Committee on defence contracts. (NAN)