By Halimah Olamide
The Armed Forces of Nigeria has cleared the air concerning a clip making rounds on social media of House of Representative member, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa firing an AK47 rifle guided by military personnels.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Acting Director of the Defence, Tukur Gusau, on Friday.
Gusau stated that the video was an attempt by mischief makers to discredit the armed forces and dent its image.
According to the statement, the video was recorded in Falgore forest military training camp during the 3 Brigade Nigerian Army Training Exercise in which Doguwa was invited as a special guest.
“The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to a viral video circulating in the Social Media platforms, where the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon Alhassan Ado Doguwa was seen firing a AK 47 rifle guided by military personnel’s.
“The Defence Headquarters wishes to state that the video is a calculated attempt by mischief makers to discredit the Armed Forces of Nigeria and dent its image before the good people of this country and the world at large.
“The video in question was taken at Falgore Forest Military Training Camp during the 3 Brigade Nigerian Army Training Exercise where Hon Alhassan Ado Doguwa was invited as a special guest.
Gusau further disclosed that when special guests are invited for such exrcises, they are accorded the honour to participate in the firing exercise as ceremonial firing party without any intention in making them trained gunners or to master the use of fire arms.
“Ceremonial firing in such an exercise is the practice in the world over and is not new in the Armed Forces of Nigeria as several other senior citizens have participated in such exercises in the past.” He said.
However, he said that the viral video of Hon Doguwa was posted with an intent to dent the image of the Armed Forces of Nigeria especially at this period when the role of the Armed Forces in the last Presidential and National Assembly elections was hailed by Nigerians and International community.
Similarly, he noted that some clerics have also released audio clips containing wrong interpretations of the speech the Majority Leader made at the occasion, in which further doctored interpretation of the speech is capable of instigating crisis, thus leading to heightened tension as the country prepares for a smooth transition to another elected government.
Gusau therefore assured Nigerians that on no occasion would the Armed Forces of Nigeria engage in training or arming any individual or group of persons to take up arms against law abiding citizens.
“As a responsible force, we will continue to discharge our constitutional responsibilities while also remaining apolitical to strengthen the democratic values of our great nation. We also want to use this opportunity to advise mischief makers not to dent the image of the Armed Forces with senseless videos and unconfirmed audio clips but rather channel their energy in making sure our country continue to strive higher in the preservation of our democratic gains.
“You are please requested to disseminate this information through your medium.”