Nigerian Army Debunks Viral Video Portraying It As Religious Bigotry

The authority of the Nigerian Army stated that the institution remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the values of secularism and religious freedom, ensuring that all personnel can serve with dignity and respect for their individual beliefs.

Recalls a viral report suggesting that the Nigerian Army only runs a School of Islamic Affairs, ignoring other faiths.

Clarifying the report, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, in a statement on Monday, described the report as not only fake but also as making a futile effort to portray the Nigerian Army as exclusively encouraging religious bigotry among its personnel.

“Considering the gravity of this falsehood, the Nigerian Army wishes to categorically state that this propaganda in its entirety is dead on arrival as it clearly does not reflect the values of our esteemed institution,” the statement said.

“The Nigerian Army is a secular organisation that upholds the principle of religious freedom for all its personnel and ensures that personnel, irrespective of rank, are free to practice their religions without any form of bias or endorsement of a specific religion.

“Our unwavering commitment to secularism guarantees that religious diversity is respected and accommodated, allowing soldiers to observe their faith without hindrance to their duties.

“Our dedication to secularism is aimed at fostering a professional and inclusive environment where individuals can serve their country without fear of religious discrimination or bias.

“This approach ensures that all officers and soldiers can practice their beliefs in a supportive and respectful setting,” it added.