Military Islamisation Claims ‘Dead On Arrival’ – Army Headquarters Deny Allegation But Accept Faith-based Training Institutions Operational

 

The Nigerian Army has dismissed allegations circulating in a viral video suggesting that the establishment of the Nigerian Army School of Islamic Affairs is a covert attempt to Islamise the military.

In the trending footage, the narrator claimed that similar policies had led to unrest in countries like Turkey and Libya, and urged the military to concentrate its efforts on combating insecurity, terrorism, and banditry rather than religious indoctrination.

In response, the Army Headquarters dismissed the video as propaganda.

“The Nigerian Army has been notified of a misleading viral report suggesting that the NA only runs a School of Islamic Affairs, ignoring other faiths,” the statement read.

“The viral report also made a futile effort to portray the NA as exclusively encouraging religious bigotry among its personnel.

“Considering the gravity of this falsehood, the NA 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 military reiterated its secular identity and commitment to religious freedom for all personnel, regardless of rank or belief.

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

The statement clarified that the Army operates faith-based training institutions for different religions, not just Islam.

“For clarity, the NA operates multiple religious training institutions to cater to the diverse faiths of our personnel.

“In addition to the Nigerian Army School of Islamic Affairs located in NA Cantonment Ikeja, Lagos, the NA also has the Nigerian Army Protestant Training School in Yaba and the Nigerian Army Chaplain Catholic Training School in Ojo Cantonment.”

It added that these institutions often work together to promote interfaith harmony.

“These schools frequently engage in interfaith collaborations, promoting unity and cohesion among our diverse members.”