The Nigerian Army (NA) has dismissed video circulating on social media, showing people in military fatigue torturing and mutilating an individual.
The director of public relations of the Army, the brigadier-general. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement released on Monday, said the video was intended to create the mistaken impression that this was a legitimate action by the troops.
Nwachukwu said the video footage was able to trick unsuspecting members of the public into believing the men in the footage are members of the AN, engaged in ongoing counterinsurgency operations in the northeast. .
He said it was a deliberate effort to promote a culture of violence in society by creating a mistaken impression that it is a legitimate action by the troops.
According to him, it is crucial to refute and properly inform the public about the said images.
He said preliminary investigations revealed that the said images had been on social media for quite a long time, adding that they were not created by Nigerian military troops.
Nwachukwu explained that troops deployed in the northeast used only Nigerian desert camouflage, while troops deployed for other operations across the country used Nigerian woodland camouflage.
He said the military attire worn by criminals was very different from the uniforms adorned by Nigerian army troops in different theaters of operation.
“The AN therefore clearly wishes to inform the general public that the video broadcast has no connection with its operations.
“Those in the pictures are not AN troops and do not represent AN operations. The video is disseminated by malicious elements aiming to tarnish the good image and reputation of the NA, to create mistrust in the minds of the public.
“It must be reiterated that as a responsible organization, the NA conducts its operational activities in accordance with the rules of engagement in force and respect for fundamental human rights.
“The AN therefore wishes to distance itself from the scandalous video,” he said.
The army spokesman reassured the public that the Nigerian military will continue to fulfill its role of ensuring the territorial integrity of the nation and assisting the civilian authority in a professional manner, in accordance with to applicable laws and international best practices. (NAN)
