Old Arms Dealer Arrest Video Resurfaces, Army Clarifies

Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian Army has debunked a viral video circulating on social media that purports to show the recent arrest of a foreign arms dealer, Shehu Ali Kachalla. The Army clarified that the video is old and not connected to any recent military operations.

The video, which resurfaced recently, shows Kachalla confessing to selling over 450 rifles to various criminal gangs in the North-West region, allegedly with the support of unnamed military personnel.

However, in a statement released today by Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Army asserted that Shehu Ali Kachalla, a 30-year-old Nigerien national, was initially arrested on May 14, 2021. His arrest was the result of a joint intelligence-led operation conducted by the Zamfara State Police Command, involving operatives of the FIB and the STS of the Nigeria Police Force. At the time, Kachalla confessed to illegally supplying over 450 rifles and thousands of rounds of ammunition to criminal elements across Zamfara, Kaduna, and Niger States.

“The resurgence of the old video on social media is therefore, at best, aimed at misinforming the public, while undermining the ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-banditry efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces,” the statement read.

Lieutenant Colonel Anele stressed the Army’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, emphasizing that any proven case of misconduct involving its personnel is met with appropriate disciplinary action in line with military laws. She noted that 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 that matter.

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The Army 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the recycled footage and cautioned social media influencers and content creators against spreading unverified or outdated materials that could cause panic or confusion.

Reaffirming its resolve to defend the nation’s territorial integrity, the Army stated its continued dedication to working in synergy with other security agencies and local communities to combat insecurity across the country.