Nigerian army reacts to video of soldier claiming to be abandoned by colleagues during operations

The Nigerian Army (NA) has reacted to the viral video making rounds on social media where a soldier claimed to have been abandoned by his colleagues during operations. 

In a statement issued by Director army public relations officer, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu disclosed that the man claims are contrary to what happened, as the soldier had made the video to shield himself from being accused of cowardice, having abandoned his colleagues during an ongoing clearance  operation in Gurara, Niger State.

It reads, "The attention of the  Nigerian Army(NA) has been drawn to a viral video making the rounds on the social media, where a soldier on Wednesday, 30 March 2022 claimed to have been abandoned by his colleagues during operations. 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 negate 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 synomous 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."

Source: www.clintonsdaily.com