The Nigerian Army has refuted claims circulating on social media suggesting the recent arrest of a foreign arms dealer, Shehu Ali Kachalla, during military operations in Zamfara State.
In a statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, the Army clarified that the video in question is not recent. According to the statement, Kachalla, a 30-year-old Nigerien national, was arrested on May 14, 2021, by the Zamfara State Police Command during a joint intelligence-led operation involving the Federal Intelligence Bureau (FIB) and the Special Tactical Squad (STS) of the Nigeria Police Force.
Kachalla was said to have confessed to illegally supplying over 450 rifles and thousands of rounds of ammunition to criminal groups across Zamfara, Kaduna, and Niger States.
The Army described the resurfacing of the old footage as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and undermine ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-banditry operations.
While acknowledging that the suspect had alleged collusion by an unnamed security operative, the Army stressed that no personnel of the Nigerian Army were indicted or arrested in connection with the 2021 case. It reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on unprofessional conduct, noting that appropriate disciplinary actions are always taken in line with military regulations where necessary.
The Army urged the public to disregard the misleading video and called on content creators and social media influencers to verify information before dissemination to prevent unnecessary panic and misinformation.
Reiterating its commitment to national security, the Army pledged continued collaboration with other security agencies and local communities in the fight against terrorism, banditry, and related crimes.
