The Nigerian Army (NA) has firmly rejected allegations that it promotes religious bigotry and prioritizes Islamic teachings over other faiths, denouncing the claims as entirely unfounded.
Recently, a viral report surfaced, alleging that the Nigerian Army exclusively operates a School of Islamic Affairs, neglecting other religious traditions. This claim was met with a strong rebuttal from the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, who labeled the report as fake news aimed at wrongly depicting the Nigerian Army as fostering religious discrimination among its ranks.
Maj Gen Nwachukwu addressed the issue in a statement, clarifying that the Nigerian Army does not favor any particular religion over another. He emphasized that the report’s attempt to paint the Army as promoting religious bigotry is baseless and does not reflect the institution’s true values.
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“The Nigerian Army has been alerted to a misleading viral report suggesting that the NA solely operates a School of Islamic Affairs, neglecting other faiths,” Nwachukwu stated. “This false report also attempts to portray the NA as promoting religious bigotry among its personnel.”
He highlighted the seriousness of the misinformation, asserting that the NA’s core values are rooted in secularism and religious freedom. The Army ensures that all personnel, regardless of rank or faith, have the right to practice their religion without any form of bias or preferential treatment.
“Our unwavering commitment to secularism guarantees that religious diversity is respected and accommodated, allowing soldiers to observe their faith without hindrance to their duties,” Nwachukwu added.
To provide further clarity, he detailed that the Nigerian Army operates several religious training institutions catering to the diverse faiths of its personnel. Besides the Nigerian Army School of Islamic Affairs in Ikeja, Lagos, there is also the Nigerian Army Protestant Training School in Yaba and the Nigerian Army Chaplain Catholic Training School in Ojo Cantonment.
These institutions often engage in interfaith collaborations, fostering unity and cohesion among the Army’s diverse members. Nwachukwu underscored that the Nigerian Army’s dedication to secularism aims to create a professional and inclusive environment, allowing individuals to serve their country without fear of religious discrimination or bias.
This inclusive approach, he noted, ensures that all officers and soldiers can practice their beliefs in a supportive and respectful setting. The NA remains steadfast in upholding the values of secularism and religious freedom, ensuring that all personnel serve with dignity and respect for their individual beliefs.
