A video showing troops of Nigerian soldiers having a dialogue with gunmen believed to be bandits and terrorists in Katsina State has surfaced online.
Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, who noted that the military high command was aware of the resolve of some bandits to repent and hand over their weapons to the authorities, said the probe would ascertain the authenticity of the clips as regards the soldiers seen in uniform.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, also assured Nigerians that the military would “engage in every lawful means possible to ensure peace and stability reign in our dear nation.
The video clip had caused a stir on social media but the DHQ said an investigation has started to authenticate the video.
He said:“The attention of the Defence Headquarters was drawn to a video clip in circulation across the social media handles of some soldiers engaging with bandits somewhere in Katsina State,” the Director of Defence Information, Tukur Gusau, said in a Monday statement.
“The DHQ is investigating the video to confirm its authenticity as regards the soldiers seen in uniform. The DHQ is aware of the resolve of some bandits to repent and hand over their weapons to the authorities. This is yielding good results and is ongoing.“The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa assures Nigerians that the AFN will engage in every lawful means possible to ensure peace and stability reign in our dear nation.
“The DHQ assures Nigerians that its non-kinetic measures aimed at restoration of peace are yielding results, with several bandits and other criminal elements surrendering to authority.”
He said governments across all tiers “are encouraged to allow bandits genuinely willing to surrender to do so while the window is still open.
“Defence Headquarters is doing everything possible to restore peace and tranquillity all over the country and urge all citizens to remain calm and be law-abiding,” the statement added.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
