Army refutes viral report of recruiting jihadists

The Nigerian Army has denied a viral report that it is recruiting jihadists and Islamic fundamentalists.

A statement by the Army’s Public Relations Director, Maj-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, described the circulating audio-visual recording as “misleading” and “targeted at sparking anxiety and fear”.

The footage falsely shows an officer urging Muslim men to join the military to protect and propagate Islam, which the Army says is not reflective of its values and standards.

The Army believes the report aims to sow discord, erode public trust, and potentially spark religious crisis in the country.

The statement reaffirms the Army’s commitment to upholding its constitutional mandate and core values of neutrality, impartiality, and respect for all citizens, regardless of religion or ethnicity.

“It is targeted at sparking palpable anxiety and fear, sowing discord and mistrust amongst our personnel, eroding public confidence in the integrity of the army,“ he said.

According to him, it is also targeted particularly among Christian and non-Muslim communities, who might feel their lives and faith are under threat, and ultimately engender religious crisis in the country.

“The Nigerian army remains steadfast in upholding professionalism and impartiality as an institution devoid of ethnic and religious bigotry.

“Our operational and administrative processes and actions are guided by the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and not ethnicity or religious sentiments,” he said.

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