Missing General: Army clarifies rumour on military operations

The headquarters of the 3rd Division of Nigeria Army has
condemned rumor being circulated in social media that the body of
the missing General Idris Alkali has been found in old mining pond
where his car was found.

The army has however debunked the rumor as untrue.

In a statement issued in Jos yesterday, Deputy Director Army
Public Relations, Col. Kayode Ogunsanya, said, “The attention of
Headquarters 3 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to news making
the rounds on the various social media platforms in respect of the
missing immediate past Chief of Administration (Army), Major
General Idris M Alkali (retired). In the social media, it was
reported that eleven (11) cars and two (2) corpses had been
recovered.

“This is false and misleading”

He said: “This headquarters wish to appreciate members of the
public for the interest they have shown in finding the above named
missing retired senior officer. I wish to state unequivocally that
since the commencement of the search and rescue operation as
directed by Army Headquarters, the following have been discovered
in the abandoned mining pit filled with water:

“On 29 September 2018, a black Toyota Corolla car with the
registration number KWARA MUN 670 AA, a customized white T-Shirt
with Nigerian Army logo and the general’s name inscribed on it as
well as a pair of canvass shoe belonging to the retired missing
senior officer.

“On 2 October 2018, a white Toyota Hiace bus with registration
number PLATEAU RYM 307 XA which was reported missing with the
driver on 24 June 2018 and a red Rover car with registration number
BAUCHI AG 645 TRR which was also allegedly reported to have been
buried along with the occupants on 31 January 2013.

“The general public is hereby enjoined to disregard news being
circulated on the social media to misinform the public about the
ongoing search and rescue operations as it was the handiwork of the
fifth columnists.

Col Ogunsanya who also used the opportunity to confirm the
ongoing military operations in Jos said, “However, a cordon and
search operation is ongoing in the general area of Dura – Du
District in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State. The
aim of the operation is to find the missing retired senior officer
either dead or alive. This will enable his family to re-unite with
him if found alive or for the family and Nigerian Army to give him
a befitting military burial if he is dead. Meanwhile, some people
have been arrested for further interrogation.

“Headquarters 3 Division is hereby urging the entire good and
peace loving people of Plateau State and most importantly the
people of Dura – Du District to come forward and give credible
information about the whereabouts of the missing retired senior
officer. This headquarters can be reached on GSM number
09074028881. Handsome reward awaits a credible informant and the
source of information shall be protected”