Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian Army has moved to debunk a viral video circulating on social media that purports to show the recent arrest of a foreign arms dealer, Shehu Ali Kachalla. The video, which features Kachalla confessing to selling hundreds of rifles to criminal gangs with alleged support from unnamed military personnel, is an outdated recording from 2021, the Army clarified today.
In a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Army emphasized that the footage is not connected to any recent military operations and no Nigerian Army personnel were arrested or implicated in the case.
“The Nigerian Army is aware of a video currently circulating on various social media platforms purporting to show the arrest of a foreign arms dealer, Shehu Ali Kachalla, as a recent development linked to Nigerian Army operations in Zamfara State,” the statement read in part. “The Nigerian Army wishes to categorically state that the said video is not recent.”
Lieutenant Colonel Anele further explained that the individual in the video, Shehu Ali Kachalla, a 30-year-old Nigerien national, was actually arrested on May 14, 2021. This arrest was a result of a joint intelligence-led operation conducted by operatives of the FIB and the STS of the Nigeria Police Force in Zamfara State. At the time, Kachalla reportedly confessed to illegally supplying over 450 rifles and thousands of rounds of ammunition to criminal elements across Zamfara, Kaduna, and Niger States.
Call for Caution Against Misinformation
The Army believes that the resurgence of this old video is “at best, aimed at misinforming the public, while undermining the ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-banditry efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces.”
Lieutenant Colonel Anele reiterated the Army’s steadfast commitment to professionalism, stating that any proven case of misconduct involving its personnel is met with appropriate disciplinary action in line with military laws and extant regulations. “While the suspect in the 2021 case alleged collusion by an unnamed security personnel, no Nigerian Army personnel were indicted or arrested in connection with the matter,” the statement affirmed.
She urged the public to disregard the recycled footage and cautioned social media influencers and content creators against spreading unverified or outdated materials that could cause panic or confusion among citizens.
The Army reaffirmed its unwavering resolve to defend the nation’s territorial integrity and pledged to continue working in synergy with other security agencies and local communities to combat insecurity across the country.
