The Nigeria Army has debunked a video clip circulating on social media, portraying stage managed capture of Nigerian Army Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) by bandits’ leader, Turji Bello.
Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director Army Public Relations, in a statement said 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.
He claimed the video was doctored, as NA vehicles including APCs have NA inscribed on the number plates, which is conspicuously missing on the reportedly captured APC in the video.
“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 occured in Burkina Faso some time in 2021.” The statement said
He said the NA maintained a high level of vigilance and professionalism in safeguarding its own armoured vehicles by ensuring that they are not compromised by any criminal element.
The statement urged members of 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.
Brigadier Nwachukwu expressed the commitment of NA for protecting the lives and property of the citizens and would continue to work tirelessly to maintain peace and stability across the country.