The Nigerian Army (NA) has vehemently refuted claims circulating in a viral audio-visual recording that alleges the military is recruiting Islamic fundamentalists and jihadists.
The video, widely shared on various online platforms, misleadingly portrays an officer encouraging young Muslim men to join the military to protect and propagate Islam.
In an official statement, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, stressed that the claims made in the footage are baseless and aimed at inciting fear, sowing discord, and causing a religious crisis in Nigeria.
The NA emphasized that these fabrications do not reflect the values and standards upheld by the military.
“The narrative depicted in the footage is not in any instance a reflection of the true values and standards of the NA,” the statement read.
“It is targeted at sparking palpable anxiety and fear, sowing discord and mistrust amongst our personnel, eroding public confidence in the integrity of the NA, particularly among Christian and non-Muslim communities.”
The Nigerian Army reassured the public of its commitment to professionalism and impartiality, devoid of ethnic and religious biases.
The NA’s operations and administrative actions are guided by the Nigerian Constitution, not by religious or ethnic sentiments.
Any deviation from these standards, the NA stated, results in appropriate disciplinary action irrespective of the individual’s religious affiliation.
The Army urged the public to dismiss the misleading report, which it described as stemming from a misunderstanding of the NA’s Standing Operating Procedures (SOP).
The military called on all Nigerians to unite against these divisive tactics and to maintain the country’s peace and unity.
“The strength of Nigeria lies in her unity in diversity,” the statement concluded, reaffirming the Army’s commitment to protecting all Nigerians regardless of their religious or ethnic backgrounds.
This strong rebuttal from the Nigerian Army aims to quell the potential unrest the false report could incite, reinforcing the institution’s dedication to the nation’s stability and unity.
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