The Nigerian Army has dismissed as false, a viral video circulating on social media showing stage managed capture of the Nigerian Army Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) by Turji Bello, one of the infamous terrorist leaders in North West Nigeria.
In a strongly-worded statement issued on Thursday afternoon by its Spokesman, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Nigerian army described the clip as an “unsubstantiated and apparently fabricated video.”
The statement said that there was no such incident that involved the capture of any of its APCs within the theatre of operations in the North West, as “mischievously and falsely portrayed in the video.”
According to the statement, analysis of the video showed that it was doctored, adding that Nigerian Army vehicles including APCs have NA inscribed on the number plates, which is “conspicuously missing on the reportedly captured APC in the video.”
Continuing, the statement reads, “Additionally, on our record, the entire events captured in the footage was not an occurrence that took place at any point in time within the shores of Nigeria, rather available data point to it, as an event that occurred in Burkina Faso sometime in 2021.
“Further investigation showed that the same video was posted on Facebook on 9 November 2021 with URL web.facebook.com/watch/?v=15441….
Furthermore, the NA maintains a high level of vigilance and professionalism in safeguarding own armoured vehicles by ensuring that they are not compromised by any criminal element.”
The army called on the public to be wary of misinformation and propaganda employed by the insurgents, aimed at precipitating fear and disrupting the peace and security of the nation.
It said the force remains committed to protecting the lives and property of citizens and will continue to work “tirelessly to maintain peace and stability across the country.”
The army promised to continually provide updates on its operations and activities through official channels to ensure accurate and reliable information reaches the public.
The army statement appreciated the support and cooperation of the public with the force.
https://twitter.com/HQNigerianArmy/status/1694682855970845022?t=xO07pm-ANB4DqWrWBKizhQ&s=19
Meanwhile, Kanyi Daily reported that at least 48 women have regained their freedom from the captivity of the terrorist sect, Boko Haram who abducted them from Maiwa and Shuwarin villages in Mafa LGA, in Borno State.
The women were set free after they paid a ransom of N50,000 naira each.