Army Refutes Viral Video of Alleged Arms Dealer Arrest, Labels It Misleading and Outdated

The Nigerian Army has dismissed claims surrounding a viral video circulating on social media, which allegedly depicts the arrest of a foreign arms dealer, Shehu Ali Kachalla, in connection with recent military operations in Zamfara State. The video suggests collusion between gun runners and soldiers in supplying arms and ammunition to terrorists, bandits, and criminal groups.

Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lt. Colonel Appolonia Anele, clarified that the video is outdated and its resurgence is aimed at misleading the public and undermining the Nigerian Army’s ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-banditry efforts.

“The Nigerian Army wishes to categorically state that the said video is not recent,” Anele stated. She explained that Kachalla, a 30-year-old Nigerien national, was arrested on May 14, 2021, by the Zamfara State Police Command during a joint operation with the Federal Intelligence Bureau (FIB) and the Special Tactical Squad (STS) of the Nigeria Police Force. The suspect had confessed to illegally supplying over 450 rifles and thousands of rounds of ammunition to criminal networks in Zamfara, Kaduna, and Niger States.

Anele emphasized that no Nigerian Army personnel were implicated in the 2021 incident. She urged the public to disregard the resurfaced video, warning content creators and social media influencers to verify the authenticity of materials before dissemination to avoid unnecessary panic.

Reaffirming the Army’s zero-tolerance policy towards unprofessional conduct, Anele stated that any proven misconduct by personnel is met with strict disciplinary measures under the Armed Forces Act.

“The Nigerian Army remains steadfast in its mandate to safeguard Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” she added, pledging continued collaboration with other security agencies and communities to combat terrorism, banditry, and other forms of criminality.