Viral video: Persons in military uniform mutilating suspect not our officers, says army

The Nigerian army says some persons in military uniform, seen in a viral video mutilating a suspect are not its officers.

A video currently making the rounds shows some people in military uniform mutilating a man.

But in a statement on Monday, Onyema Nwachukwu, army spokesperson, said the video has been around for a while and investigations showed it doesn’t involve officers from the Nigerian army.

“The video footage is not only capable of deceiving unsuspecting members of the public into believing that the men in the footage are members of the NA, engaged in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North East, but a deliberate effort to promote a culture of violence in the society by creating an erroneous impression that it is a legitimate action by troops,” he said.

“Preliminary investigations reveal that the said footage has been on the social media for quite a long time and is not originated by troops of the NA.

“Very importantly, the uniform of NA troops deployed in the North East is the Nigerian Desert Camouflage, while that of other operations around the country is the Nigerian Woodland Camouflage. Evidently, the military fatigue worn by the criminals is a far variation from the uniforms adorned by their own troops in the various theatres of operation.

“The NA, therefore, wishes to clearly inform the general public that the video being circulated does not have any connection with its operations. Those in the footage are not troops of the NA and do not represent any operation of the NA.

“The video is circulated by mischievous elements aiming to tarnish the good image and reputation of the NA, in order to create mistrust in the minds of the public.”

He added that as a responsible organisation, the army conducts its operational activities in line with extant rules of engagement and respect for fundamental human rights.