The Nigerian Army has denied a viral video of a soldier who said that other soldiers ran away and left him alone in the bush, noting that the video is a misrepresentation of facts.
The soldier with the identified nametag, Musa, in the video screamed: “I’ve suffered a lot. I’m trying to save my life. I’m the only one in the bush. The remaining soldiers have ran and left me. God, help me. God, protect my life.”
The Nigerian Army Headquarters in a statement by the spokesperson, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, indicated that the video was recorded by the soldier after he absconded from his duty. The Army insisted that the soldier had deserted from the military service and plotted the video to deceive the public and blackmail the military.
According to the Army statement “Contrary to the claims and impression created by the soldier in the video footage, preliminary investigations have revealed that the video footage was a deliberate attempt to shield himself from being accused of cowardice, having abandoned his colleagues during an ongoing clearance operation in Gurara, Niger State.
“It could be recalled that troops of the NA, recently carried out a clearance operation in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State. Disappointingly, during an encounter, the said soldier abandoned his colleagues and absconded in an outright display of cowardice and possible sabotage, which negated the precepts of the military profession.
“Sensing the gravity of his action and its consequences, the soldier surreptitiously uploaded the video online in a calculated attempt to whip-up public sentiment and cover up his act of cowardice. The soldier’s action amounts to a betrayal of the esprit de corps and comradery that are synonymous with a military unit and fighting formation, particularly during operations. The soldier’s conduct is, therefore, an aberration and against the ethics and core values of the military profession.
“The video footage is, thus, in all intent, and purpose a misrepresentation of what actually transpired between the soldier and his colleagues.
The soldier has rejoined his unit and further investigations are currently ongoing to unravel the reasons behind his unprofessional conduct.”