Polls: Soldiers in video clips are political thugs, says Army

The Nigerian Army on Sunday said intelligence available to it
revealed political thugs wore military uniform to perpetrate crimes
during last Saturday’s general elections, some of which were
recorded in videos.

The army noted that some of the thugs clad in army uniform had
been arrested and were giving useful information to the
military.

The acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col Sagir Musa, said
in a release that some politicians armed the “thugs for their
selfish gains”, adding that investigations were ongoing to bring
the impostors and their sponsors to book.

The army spokesman noted that most civilians caught in the
crossfire could not distinguish between genuine soldiers and
impersonators.

Musa said, “Credible intelligence available to the army
confirmed the kitting of political thugs with military uniform and
arming of same to impersonate soldiers and perpetrate various
crimes in the furtherance of the activities of their political
bosses.

“These thugs were wrongly viewed as real military personnel on
various social media channels. The army understands that most
civilians caught in the callous onslaught of these murderous thugs
might not be able to distinguish between a genuine soldier from an
impersonator, especially when they are armed with military-type
weapons.

“However, several arrested impostors have given useful
information that has led to unravelling the level of criminal
involvement of some politicians in arming thugs for their depraved
selfish gains.”