 |
| Sagir Musa |
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.”
