By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Army has refuted claims circulating on social media that it recently arrested a foreign arms dealer, Shehu Ali Kachalla, in Zamfara State, clarifying that the video making the rounds is an outdated clip from a 2021 arrest carried out by the Nigeria Police Force.
In an official statement signed by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Army categorically stated that the footage, which has resurfaced online, is not connected to any current operation or development involving the Nigerian Army. The Army described the video’s circulation as a “misleading” attempt to misinform the public and undermine ongoing security operations across the country.
“To set the records straight, the individual featured in the footage, Shehu Ali Kachalla, a 30-year-old Nigerien national, was arrested by the Zamfara State Police Command on 14 May 2021,” the statement said. “The operation was an intelligence-led mission involving operatives of the Federal Intelligence Bureau (FIB) and the Special Tactical Squad (STS) of the Nigeria Police Force.”
Lt. Col. Anele noted that the suspect had confessed to illegally supplying over 450 rifles and thousands of rounds of ammunition to criminal gangs operating in Zamfara, Kaduna, and Niger States. At the time, he also alleged collusion by an unnamed security operative. However, investigations did not implicate any personnel of the Nigerian Army, nor was any soldier arrested or indicted in connection with the case.
The Army warned that the viral resurgence of the video could cause unnecessary panic and confusion among the populace, while also discrediting the tireless efforts of security agencies fighting terrorism, banditry, and other violent crimes.
“This old video is being weaponized to mislead the public and distract from the focused and sustained operations by the Nigerian Armed Forces across various theatres of operation,” the Army noted.
Reiterating its zero-tolerance stance on unprofessional conduct, the Army assured the public that any personnel found wanting in the course of duty are always subjected to disciplinary actions in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and extant military regulations.
The Army also called on social media influencers, bloggers, and content creators to be more responsible by verifying the authenticity and timestamp of materials before publishing them to avoid disseminating misinformation.
“We urge the general public to disregard the recirculated video as outdated and misleading,” the statement emphasized.
Concluding, the Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation and pledged to continue working closely with sister security agencies and local communities in the joint fight against criminality.
