FACT-CHECK: Does video show Fulanis in Nigerian Army celebration after receiving ransom money?

On 13 November 2024, a X user (formerly Twitter) @fourunit shared a video showing alleged Nigerian soldiers celebrating, spraying money on each other with the claim it happened in Kogi State.

The video was shared with a caption saying, “Breaking news:13/11/24. Fulani terrorists that were integrated into (the) army kidnapped 5 people including a priest, requested for a ransom in cash, victims paid up, Fulani terrorists spread whole cash on them, killed all, Took place in Kogi state.”

Background

Over the past decade, Nigeria has faced relentless terrorism, particularly in the northern region, leading to significant loss of life and the displacement of thousands of residents in search of a safe abode.

The proximity of northern states to neighbouring countries is often cited as a major factor contributing to these persistent attacks, leaving a vast percentage of the affected population reliant on humanitarian aid.

Claim

Fulani terrorists integrated into the Nigerian Army were caught on camera killing five people in Kogi, after receiving ransom.

As at the time of filing this report, the post had garnered over 70,000 views, 64 comments, 714 reposts, 462 likes and 174 bookmarks.

A visit to the comment section indicated that while some believed the video veracity, others doubted its authenticity.

For example, @shady1759 commented: “@HQNigerianArmy see your officers.” Also, @lawracluzio said: “How can you integrate criminals into the army?” On the other hand @Shigaraki3520 stated: “They were not integrated into the army. They stole those uniforms.”

Verification

Observing the dressing and appearance of the men in the video, some irregularities were noticed. In the video, while some were fully dressed with the Army uniforms, some others were partially clothed — a flaw that no military formation would be subject to.

READ ALSO: 14 rescued, one dead as police foils kidnap attempt in Katsina

Furthermore, it was noticed that those involved were spotted with bikes — a customary means of transportation used by bandits to carry out their operations.

Also, the purported military personnel were captured speaking Hausa, and their utterances depicted those of bandits. For instance, a phrase like “Dan Tawaye” as said by one of the men qualified as rebellion. Likewise, one of the men said “We are Turji’s boys, we have already broken a bank.”

Probing further, this reporter combed through credible media organisations for reports but found no information corroborating the assertion of the claimant.

Further investigating the video veracity and authenticity, we reached out to the spokesperson to the Nigerian Defence headquarters, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, who disassociated the kidnappers from the military, noting that “terrorists have occasionally been seen in kaki, impersonating military men to execute their heinous attacks against the unsuspecting civilians.”

Mr Onyema further condemned the video as an adversarial propaganda targeted to degrade the Nigerian Army.

Moreover, he refuted the claim of recruiting Fulani bandits into the Nigerian army as mentioned in the post

“I must say in very clear terms that the Nigerian Army does not recruit any particular ethnic group for integration into the Nigerian Army, as ensured through our recruitment procedures. Candidates for recruitment into the Nigerian Army are drawn from all states of the federation, including the FCT and not from and not from any particular tribe”, Mr Onyema said.

Conclusion

Investigation shows that the video showing several men dressed in the Nigerian army uniform are bandits, not military personnel.

Verdict

Investigations revealed that the armed men captured in a video are bandits. The claim that they are Fulanis who were incorporated into the Nigerian army is therefore not true.

By: Muheeb Mashood

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