The Nigerian Army has described a viral video circulating on social media on soldiers being poorly fed as misleading.
Major Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, Nigeria Army’s spokesperson made this clarification on Thursday.
This comes amid a video that the 159 Battalion in Kanama, Geidam Local Government, is being poorly fed.
However, Nwachukwu said after investigation as ordered by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, it was found that “no personnel in that location was served substandard meal as shown in the video”.
“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.
“Sequel to the viral video, the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja ordered an investigation headed by the Commander Sector 2 Operation HADIN KAI to ascertain the veracity of the claim to address any problem of poor feeding in the unit.
“Following the findings of the investigation, it is crucial to clarify that the video in question was not created by soldiers of the 159 Battalion, but was rather recorded by a police officer stationed with the troops deployed in Geidam.
“Contrary to the claim made in the video, no personnel in that location was served substandard meals as shown 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. It is anticipated to be unraveled during further investigation,” he said.
He added that the Nigerian Army places a premium on the welfare and well-being of troops and their families.
“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 to ensure that they are adequately rewarded and motivated,” the spokesperson said.