13 Aug 2025, Wed

NIGERIAN ARMY DISPELS VIRAL VIDEO ON ARMS DEALER’S ARREST, WARNS AGAINST MISINFORMATION

By Bavoriat Clara

The Nigerian Army has debunked claims circulating on social media suggesting a recent arrest of a foreign arms dealer, Shehu Ali Kachalla, as part of its ongoing operations in Zamfara State.

In a statement issued by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Army clarified that the viral video being shared is not recent, and should not be associated with any current military activity.

The video, according to the statement, dates back to May 14, 2021, when Shehu Ali Kachalla, a 30-year-old Nigerien national, was arrested by the Zamfara State Police Command. The arrest was the result of a coordinated intelligence-led operation involving operatives of the Federal Intelligence Bureau (FIB) and the Special Tactical Squad (STS) of the Nigeria Police Force.

Kachalla had confessed to illegally supplying over 450 rifles and thousands of rounds of ammunition to criminal elements operating in Zamfara, Kaduna, and Niger States. The Army noted that although the suspect alleged collusion with an unnamed security operative, no Nigerian Army personnel was implicated, arrested, or found culpable in the case.

Describing the video’s resurfacing as a misleading act, the Nigerian Army warned that it could potentially undermine public trust and the credibility of the ongoing fight against terrorism and banditry.

“The circulation of outdated content in the guise of current events only serves to misinform the public and discredit the tireless efforts of our troops and other security agencies,” Anele stated.

She further emphasized that the Nigerian Army enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy for unprofessional conduct, and any personnel found wanting are dealt with in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and existing military regulations.

The Army urged the general public to disregard the viral video, describing it as outdated and misleading, and appealed to social media users, influencers, and content creators to verify sources and timestamps before sharing sensitive materials.

Reaffirming its commitment, the Army stated: “The Nigerian Army remains fully dedicated to its constitutional mandate of safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We will continue to work closely with sister security agencies and community stakeholders to rid the country of terrorism, banditry, and all forms of criminality.

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