Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Col. Sagir Musa, disclosed this in a statement which was made available to journalists in Enugu.
Musa disclosed that, if the video clip is found to be factual, the soldiers involved in the incident would be punished according to military justice system.
“The attention of the Headquarters, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, has been drawn to a video clip trending on social media and other platforms purportedly showing troops humiliating some people at a check point in Abia State, Nigeria.
“The issue is being investigated with the view to ascertain the source and the actors in the clip.
“Our Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement are quite clear and any officer or soldier that infringed on any of such directive, if found guilty, will face full wrath of the military justice system,” the army spokesman said.
However, Musa, in the same breath, pointed out that the army was aware that IPOB was using what he described as ‘manipulated’ pictures and videos to propagate their agenda, and misinform the public.
He urged members of the public to be wary of any information disseminated by the secessionists.
Musa said,”We would like to inform the public that 82 Division is also aware of the planned misinformation and propaganda arrangement by the secessionists, Indigenous People of Biafra.
“They intend to churn out pre-recorded video clips aimed at discrediting the Nigerian Army, causing disaffection among the citizens of this country.
“They will be using bogus, manipulated and photo-shopped photographs as well as video clips.
“The public should be wary of such mischief, scrutinize and report same to the Nigerian Army or any of security agencies.”
Musa added that the 82 Division was determined to ensure safety of lives and property in the course of the ongoing ‘Operation Python Dance’ in the South-East.
“The Division wishes to reassure the public that it is determined to ensuring the safety of lives and properties in its area of operational responsibility, particularly in the entire South-East geo-political zone as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We do not condone any act of indiscipline in the conduct of our operations and training exercises.
“Any claim of rights violation would be investigated and when confirmed, appropriate disciplinary actions would be taken against the erring personnel,” the army spokesman said.
