The Nigerian Army and the police have said they have commenced investigations into pictures of soldiers and policemen seen doing the “4 + 4” signal, President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign signature.
Pictures of the soldiers and policemen portraying the sign while on duty began circulating on the social media on Friday.
Though the authenticity of the pictures which generated backlash, with Nigerians accusing both security agencies of being compromised, had not been authenticated, but reacting in separate statements, the army and the police said they were working to verify the authenticity of the pictures and to carry out action afterwards.
Colonel Sagir Musa, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, said the act is against the code of conduct of the army.
“The NA wishes to dissociate itself from the picture even as it has commenced immediate investigation with the view to ascertain the source and authenticity of the pictures and the “soldiers’ involved.
“If the outcome of the investigation confirm this to be true, appropriate sanctions would be provided. NA of today under the command of Lt Gen Tukur Buratai does not condone or encourage indiscipline and any form of professional misconduct.
“On many occasions, the Chief of Army Staff has made it strongly clear that Army personnel will remain neutral, totally apolitical and will not compromise its constitutional roles under any guise.”
The force on its part tweeted the Inspector-General of Police has charged the digital and forensic unit of the police to investigate the authenticity of the photo, “to ascertain whether it’s real or photo-shopped.”
