Jonathan angry with Critics of Nigeria’s military, says it is reckless

President Goodluck Jonathan has described those who drag the Nigerian military into the nation’s political activities as reckless.

He insisted that the nation’s armed forces must be appreciated by all Nigerians and be insulated from politics, adding that he was always saddened by comments from individuals especially elder statesmen, insulting the nation’s military.

Jonathan, who spoke while receiving a cheque of N1 million from Mr. Dotun Oyetunde, in support of the nation’s armed forces shortly before the commencement of the Security Council meeting, said nations that Nigeria build its democracy on do not behave in that manner.

According to him: “We must continue to commend men of the Nigerian armed forces. A nation must honour men of its armed forces.

“All the nations that we emulate and build our democracy on do not insult their military.

“They must be appreciated and insulated from politics. I feel bad when leaders rope military into our day-to-day political activities, that is reckless.

“These men stay in the rain while we are under roofs.  They stay awake for us to sleep well.”

President Jonathan acknowledged the support the military was currently receiving from Nigerians, even as he specifically commended youth groups that had taken to the streets to demonstrate their support for the nation’s military and their fight against terror in the North east.

The President called on other Nigerians to follow suit and donate both in cash and kind to the troops.

He said such assistance could be channeled through the Chief of Defence Staff, National Security Adviser or the Minister of Defence.

In his remarks, the donor said he and his wife were moved by the plight of troops in the hands of members of the Boko Haram sect.

He said he was surprised that everybody seemed to be criticising the military and were seeing Boko Haram as political as if the insurgents ask for their victims’ political affiliations before attacking them.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, while introducing the donor told the President that the military had received various donations such as drugs, bags of rice and cartons of instant noodles among others.