The Nigerian Army has categorically refuted a video clip that has been circulating on social media, depicting a staged capture of one of its Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) by the leader of a bandit group, Turji Bello.
Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, issued a statement dismissing the video as a fabrication, emphasizing that no such incident had taken place where an APC was captured within the theater of operations in the North West, as deceitfully depicted in the video.
According to Brigadier General Nwachukwu, the video has been doctored, as Nigerian Army vehicles, including APCs, prominently display the initials “NA” on their number plates, which is conspicuously absent on the APC featured in the video, supposedly captured by the insurgents.
“Based on our records, the events depicted in the footage did not occur at any time within the borders of Nigeria. Instead, the available data suggests that it took place in Burkina Faso sometime in 2021,” the statement clarified.
The Nigerian Army maintains a stringent level of vigilance and professionalism when it comes to safeguarding its armoured vehicles, ensuring that they are not compromised by any criminal elements, added Brigadier General Nwachukwu.
The statement also urged the public to exercise caution in the face of misinformation and propaganda disseminated by the insurgents, as their intent is to sow fear and disrupt the peace and security of the nation.
Brigadier Nwachukwu reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to protecting the lives and property of its citizens, vowing to continue working tirelessly to maintain peace and stability throughout the country.
