The Nigerian Army has dismissed claims made in a viral video alleging that soldiers stationed in Yobe State are being poorly fed. The man in the video, who displayed a small portion of semo, complained about the inadequate meals provided to soldiers in Kanama, Yobe State.
However, the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, clarified on Thursday that the individual in the video is not a member of the military. “The Nigerian Army has taken note of a viral video on social media alleging that soldiers of 159 Battalion in Kanama, Geidam Local Government, are being poorly fed,” he stated.
Following the viral video’s release, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, ordered an investigation led by the Commander Sector 2 Operation HADIN KAI. “The investigation revealed that the person in the viral video was not its personnel,” Nwachukwu confirmed. “The video in question was not created by soldiers of 159 Battalion, but was rather recorded by a police officer stationed with the troops deployed in Geidam.”
Nwachukwu emphasized that no personnel in the area were served substandard meals as depicted in the video. “Preliminary investigation has also revealed that the police officer who recorded and shared the video did so with an ulterior motive yet to be uncovered by the investigation,” he added.
The Nigerian Army strongly asserts its commitment to the welfare of its personnel. “It is expedient to unambiguously state that the leadership of the Nigerian Army places a premium on the welfare and well-being of troops and their families,” Nwachukwu said. He highlighted several welfare schemes implemented by the Chief of Army Staff, including increased Ration Cash Allowance, prompt medical evacuation, payment of Group Life Insurance Scheme backlogs, and affordable house ownership options for soldiers.
The investigation into the motives behind the video’s creation and dissemination is ongoing.
