A recent viral video alleging an attempt by the Nigerian Army to Islamise the military and destabilise the nation has been strongly refuted by Army Headquarters. The video, which has been widely circulated, suggested that the establishment of the Nigerian Army School of Islamic Affairs could trigger a religious crisis similar to those experienced in countries like Turkey and Libya. It also accused the Army of straying from its duty to combat insecurity and uphold Nigeria’s secular nature.
In response, the Nigerian Army issued a statement labelling the claims as false and misleading. The statement clarified that the Army does not promote any single religion and remains a secular institution where every soldier is free to practice their faith. Officials emphasized that religious freedom is respected across all ranks, with no tolerance for bias or discrimination.
To support this, the Army explained that it runs faith-based training schools for multiple religions, not just Islam. These include the Nigerian Army Protestant Training School in Yaba and the Nigerian Army Chaplain Catholic Training School in Ojo, alongside the Islamic Affairs School in Ikeja. These institutions, the Army noted, regularly work together to promote unity, understanding, and interfaith cooperation among personnel.
The statement further noted that fostering a professional and inclusive environment is central to the Army’s operations. This commitment ensures that all service members, regardless of their faith, can carry out their duties with respect and dignity.
The Army concluded by reaffirming its loyalty to Nigeria’s constitution, its mission to protect the nation, and its dedication to upholding religious harmony within its ranks.
