The Nigerian soldier, M. Musa in the viral video
Viral video of ‘abandoned soldier’ misleading – Army, says officer fled battlefront in cowardice
Nigerian Army, Thursday, said the viral video of a soldier who filmed himself trekking in the bush while praying for God’s help, and claiming to have been abandoned by his colleagues, is ‘misleading and diversionary.’
According to the Nigerian Army, it was the soldier who fled from an encounter with terrorists in Niger State, abandoning his colleagues in battle.
It would be recalled that a video showing a Nigerian soldier with a name tag as M. Musa, had gone viral, Thursday, as many Nigerians decried the deplorable incident and wished him safety.
However, the Army while swiftly responding to the video, said ‘contrary to the claims and impression created by the soldier in the video footage, preliminary investigations have revealed that the video footage was a deliberate attempt to shield himself from being accused of cowardice, having abandoned his colleagues during an ongoing clearance operation in Gurara, Niger State.’
A statement signed by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Thursday, informed the soldier in question has since rejoined his colleagues, as ‘further investigations are currently ongoing to unravel the reasons behind his unprofessional conduct.’
“The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to a viral video making the rounds on the social media, where a soldier on Wednesday, 30 March 2022 claimed to have been abandoned by his colleagues during operations. Contrary to the claims and impression created by the soldier in the video footage, preliminary investigations have revealed that the video footage was a deliberate attempt to shield himself from being accused of cowardice, having abandoned his colleagues during an ongoing clearance operation in Gurara, Niger State.
“It could be recalled that troops of the NA, recently carried out a clearance operation in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State. Disappointingly, during an encounter, the said soldier abandoned his colleagues and absconded in an outright display of cowardice and possible sabotage, which negate the precepts of the military profession.
“Sensing the gravity of his action and its consequences, the soldier surreptitiously uploaded the video online in a calculated attempt to whip-up public sentiment and cover up his act of cowardice. The soldier’s action amounts to a betrayal of the esprit de corps and comradery that are synonymous with a military unit and fighting formation, particularly during operations. The soldier’s conduct is therefore an aberration and against the ethics and core values of the military profession.
“The video footage is thus, in all intent, and purpose a misrepresentation of what actually transpired between the soldier and his colleagues.
“The soldier has rejoined his unit and further investigations are currently ongoing to unravel the reasons behind his unprofessional conduct,” the statement read.
