Boko Haram: Abati, Okupe differ on establishment of new battalion

By Ben Agande

A major disagreement has erupted between the special adviser to the President on Media and Publicity,Dr. Reuben Abati and the Senior special assistant to the president on Public affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, as the former, yesterday, publicly disowned the later, over the reason for the establishment of the 176 Special Forces Battalion of the Brigade of Guards.

While the senior special assistant to the president on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe said the establishment of the battalion was because of the threat posed by the fundamental Islamic sect, Boko Haram, the special Adviser to the president on media said the establishment of the Battalion of the Brigade of Guards was not established to protect President Goodluck Jonathan alone.

It would be recalled that Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, told journalists that the battalion was established to protect the president from the Boko Haram sect.

But speaking with Journalists yesterday, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati said that the new battalion, though part of the Brigade of Guards saddled with the responsibility of presidential protection, was not meant for Jonathan alone.

According to him, the approval for the creation of the battalion preceded Jonathan’s Presidency adding that it was to meet the provision of the Nigerian Army Order of Battle which recommends that Brigades must have three battalions.

“The approval by the Nigerian Army Council to establish that battalion was given on May 4, 2010. I am sure President Jonathan was not the President then.
“What President Jonathan did was only to give the go ahead much later in 2012.
“At the inauguration of the battalion’s barracks in Kuje today (Wednesday), it was made clear that the battalion will be in charge of security in Kuje, Gwagwalada up to Niger State.

“Even the barracks’ location in Kuje very far away from the Presidential Villa is enough proof that it was not meant to protect the President alone.
“It is also apt to say that the Nigerian Army Order of Battle recommends that a Brigade should have three battalions.
“Since the Brigade of Guards was relocated to Abuja over two decades, it has been having only two battalions.
“So, the establishment of the new battalion was in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian Army Order of Battle.”

Jonathan had on Monday during the presidential change of guards as part of activities to mark the Independence Day celebration, had formally inaugurated the new battalion at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa by presenting the regimental colours.