By Emmanuel Obisue
Nigerian Army has refuted claims contained in a video currently making rounds on social media, suggesting the recent arrest of a foreign arms dealer, Shehu Ali Kachalla, in Zamfara State.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, clarified that the video is not a recent development and has no connection to ongoing military operations in Zamfara.
“The individual featured in the footage, Shehu Ali Kachalla, a 30-year-old Nigerien national, was arrested by the Zamfara State Police Command on 14 May 2021 in a joint intelligence-led operation involving operatives of the Federal Intelligence Bureau (FIB) and the Special Tactical Squad (STS) of the Nigeria Police Force,” the Army explained.
“The suspect confessed to have illegally supplied over 450 rifles and thousands of rounds of ammunition to criminal elements across Zamfara, Kaduna, and Niger States,” Anele added.
The statement further dismissed the resurfaced video as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and undermine the military’s ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-banditry efforts.
While confirming that no Nigerian Army personnel were indicted in the 2021 case, the Army reiterated its commitment to professionalism and discipline, warning content creators and influencers to verify information before sharing.
