Defence Minister Who Told Nigerians Not To Be Cowardly Against Bandits Speaks On Trending Video ‘Showing’ Him With Gun

The Minister of Defence, Major-General Bashir Magashi (rtd) who last February told Nigerians to defend themselves against bandits has strongly denied any relationship with a trending video in which he was portrayed carrying a gun apparently against bandits.

The minister in a statement on Sunday said that the online video showing a man hanging an AK-47 Riffle purported to be him is mischievous.

The Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the minister, Mr Muhammad Abdulkadri, in a statement on Sunday, said there was the need to counter the narrative.

Abdulkadri said:  “To claim that the person in the video is Gen. Magashi is false and misinforming.

“Findings have revealed the undeniable identity of the person in the video as the rector of a Nigerian army college.

“By virtue of the rector’s command and position, he is statutorily allowed in the military to sign for weapons when travelling.

“The Army green colour on the vehicle shown in the video and the unit sticker on the official vehicle are enough evidences to neutralise the spurious claim in the video.”

Abdulkadri also said that the vehicle in the video being referred to as the official vehicle is not the minister’s official car.

“Going by the verifiable and tenable analysis of the video, the minister is not the person in the video as being portrayed,” NAN quoted him as saying.

 GreenWhiteGreen GWG reports that the defence minister had last February while talking to newsmen charged Nigerians not to be cowards urging them to fight back against the bandits.

He had said:

“It is the responsibility of everybody to keep alert and to find safety when necessary. But we shouldn’t be cowards.

“At times, the bandits will only come with about three rounds of ammunition, when they fire shots everybody runs.

“In our younger days, we stand to fight any aggression coming for us.

“I don’t know why people are running from minor things like that. They should stand and let these people know that even the villagers have the competency and capabilities to defend themselves.”

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG