The Nigerian Army has reiterated its prohibition on civilians wearing military camouflage, warning that it is illegal and remains strictly banned.
This announcement comes in response to a viral video showing a soldier allegedly molesting a civilian for wearing a military uniform.
The video, which went viral on social media, sparked outrage among Nigerians, prompting the Army to issue a statement clarifying the situation.
In the viral video, a Nigerian soldier is seen aggressively beating a civilian who is wearing a Nigerian Army Desert Camouflage uniform.
In the footage, which lasts about two minutes, the soldier is seen hitting the civilian multiple times, causing him to fall to the ground.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Army spokesman Major General Onyema Nwachukwu addressed the video, clarifying that it was old footage from an incident that occurred in 2021.
He confirmed that the soldier involved had been arrested, tried, and punished for his behaviour, which violated the Nigerian Army’s core values.
“The Nigerian Army (NA) has noted the recent circulation of an old video depicting a soldier molesting a civilian for wearing a Nigerian Army Desert Camouflage uniform.
“The Nigeria Army wishes to clarify that this video footage is a stale audio-visual being recirculated by individuals or content creators either bereft of content or with malicious intent to create tension between the military and the civilian populace,” Nwachukwu stated.
He emphasised that the Nigerian Army took immediate and decisive action at the time of the incident, underscoring their commitment to respect for others and the protection of fundamental rights.
Nwachukwu also reminded Nigerians to comply with the ban on wearing military camouflage, noting that only military and police personnel are authorized to wear such attire.
He explained that the ban aims to prevent terrorists, insurgents, and imposters from exploiting military camouflage to commit crimes and pose security threats.
“The Nigeria Army wishes to reiterate that the ban on the unauthorized use of military camouflage remains in full effect.
“Only personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the Nigeria Police Force are legally permitted to wear military camouflage,” he said.
Nwachukwu urged the public to disregard the recirculated video and remain vigilant against attempts to create discord and tension within the country.
He reassured citizens of the Nigerian Army’s dedication to upholding the law and ensuring public safety.
“The Nigeria Army remains committed to upholding the law and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens. We urge the public to disregard the recirculated video and to remain vigilant against attempts to sow discord and tension within the country,” the statement concluded.
