The Nigerian Army has refuted claims made in a viral video suggesting that soldiers in Yobe State are being poorly fed.
The video, which shows a man displaying a small portion of semolina (semo) and complaining about inadequate meals for soldiers in Kanama, Yobe State, has been declared misleading by the army.
In a statement released on Thursday, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, said that the army promptly launched an investigation into the matter after the video began circulating on social media.
The investigation, ordered by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, was aimed at verifying the authenticity of the claims and addressing any potential issues regarding the feeding of soldiers in the unit.
Major General Nwachukwu reported that the investigation revealed the individual in the video is not a member of the Nigerian Army.
Instead, the video was recorded by a police officer stationed with the troops in Geidam. The police officer allegedly recorded and shared the video with ulterior motives, which are still being investigated.
“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,” Nwachukwu stated. “
Following the findings of the investigation, it is crucial to clarify that 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. Contrary to the claim made in the video, no personnel in that location was served substandard meals as shown in the video.”
Nwachukwu emphasized that the welfare of military personnel, particularly those on the frontline, is a top priority for the Nigerian Army.
He highlighted several welfare initiatives implemented by the Chief of Army Staff to ensure the well-being of soldiers and their families.
These initiatives include an increase in the Ration Cash Allowance, prompt medical evacuation for wounded soldiers, payment of the backlog of the Group Life Insurance Scheme, affordable house ownership options, and improved medical facilities.
The statement also mentioned ongoing renovations and construction of new accommodations for soldiers and their families in various army cantonments and barracks across the country.
