The Nigerian Army on Friday reacted to a video clip circulating on social media showing unknown soldiers mercilessly disfiguring a leg of a fellow human being, with some others shabbily dressed.
Colonel Sagir Musa, Acting Director Army Public Relations, in statement said after investigation, all the characters involved in the despicable act are not personnel of the Nigerian Army.
“The action of the characters in the video clip particularly the act of meting out cruel punishment, let alone decapitating a part of a fellow human being is not licensed, encouraged or condoned by the NA and is entirely against NA’s training, Code of Conduct (COC), Rules of Engagement (ROE) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in or out of conflict situations”, he said.
According to him, the camouflage used by the characters in the video is not the type been used in the Army and that troops are not allowed to wear bathroom slippers and civil outfits during operations.
“NA troops fighting insurgency in Nigeria, have severally captured many terrorists, took custody of many surrendered terrorists some of whom have been prosecuted, while those that voluntarily surrendered are undergoing de-radicalization and rehabilitation under the Federal Government programme codenamed Operation SAFE CORRIDOR”, he said.
“NA wishes to once again remind members of the public that not all photos and videos being circulated on social media and other outlets are truly members of the NA.
“NA has also severally and consistently made it clear that it monitors and will continue to monitor the actions of its personnel to ensure they are in conformity with extant laws and in line with International best practices.
“Under the present leadership of the NA, sufficient efforts have been made to ensure personnel respect human rights in line with the ROE, COC and SOP. Any violation attracts appropriate punishment in accordance with the extant military justice system.
“Members of the public are requested to note that the barbaric act (as shown in the video clip), has often been associated with the terrorists either as a punishment to one of their own or to send out powerful message to their followers and the larger public with the sole aim of instilling fear which is one of the major basis and aims of terrorists/terrorism.”
