Army denies video clip on killing of civilians

The Nigerian Army, on Monday, released a statement it made on 5th February, 2010 over purported video clip alleging that Nigerian soldiers killed civilians in Jos.
A statement signed by the then Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Chris Olukolade, noted that the video clip posted on a news website and put into circulation via cell phones, projecting a scene where Nigerian soldiers were purportedly shooting innocent civilians during the recent civil unrest in Jos Plateau State was a mere manipulation.
According to the statement, the Nigerian Army finds the scenes projected in the video clip as very disturbing, particularly as the scenes presented therein are directly at variance with the standards by which it has been known over the years.
It said said that the army had investigated the allegations and confirmed that the video clip in question was nothing but a wicked manipulation aided by application of current advancement in computer technology, adding that it was aimed at embarrassing the Nigerian Army while at the same time heating up the polity.
“Indeed, information available to the Army has made it clear that the video  clip in question was not shot in Jos as was claimed. The persons referred to as soldiers were manipulated images and certainly not Nigerian soldiers. The vehicle depicted in the film was not one of those used by the Nigerian Army in the internal security operation in Jos,” the statement said.
It further stated that the here-lane road in the clip does not exist in Jos and that it was challenging those circulating the video clip to be honest enough to identify with it and tell the public the details of the background of those shot.
The army advised Nigerians to decipher between manipulated film shots and the reality of the tendencies of their own military.
“Indeed, it has never been in the character of the Nigerian Army throughout its experiences either in peace support operations abroad or in internal security operations at home to unleash such acts of brutality and illegality on citizens, let alone carry out summary and extra- judicial execution as presented in the manipulated video film,” the statement noted.
The statement added that the record of operations in Jos confirmed the Nigerian Army's exemplary character and belief in the rule of law.
It further declared  that the army remained a professional body built on high morals, ethical and disciplinary standards.
The Nigerian Army, it noted, continues to pride itself in its strict control measures and discipline which lays significant emphasis on when, where, and how the minutest aspect of weapons are applied.