This Video Does Not Feature Niger’s Army Training to Deal With Coup Plotters

Wesam Abo Marq

Politics

7th August 2023

This Video Does Not Feature Niger’s Army Training to Deal With Coup Plotters

The video of military training was shot in Nigeria in 2022 (Twitter)

The Claim

A video shows a strange scene featuring the training of the Niger army as they prepare to handle coup plotters.

News posted on

Andreas

Lilian

Spriter

آپارات - سرویس اشتراک ویدیو

Twitter

Emerging story

After the recent coup in Niger, social media users circulated a video purporting to show a strange scene, showcasing the training of the Niger army as they prepare to handle coup plotters.

One user tweeted, “

Unconventional Training to Tackle Coup Plotters! Witness the #Niger army's unique approach to preparedness as they gear up to face any challenges head-on.”

Unconventional Training to Tackle Coup Plotters! 🇳🇪💪 Witness the #Niger army's unique approach to preparedness as they gear up to face any challenges head-on. #NigerArmy #SpecialTraining #CoupPreparedness #UnconventionalMethods #StrengthInDiversity @SpriterTeam pic.twitter.com/IJwyOjVAOT
— Andreas Georgiou (@AndreasGeorg99) August 1, 2023

A supporting image within the article body

Misbar’s Analysis

Misbar investigated the circulated video and found the claim to be misleading.

A thorough reverse image search revealed the video making the rounds to be outdated and unrelated to the recent coup in Niger.

The Video of Military Training Was Shot in Nigeria in 2022

Misbar's investigation revealed that the video shows the Nigerian Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The video began circulating on July 5, 2022, showing NYSC corps members engaged in intensive training in Benue, Nigeria

Instablog9ja, an Instagram account, uploaded the video on July 5, 2022, under the caption, “Woe betide bandits operating in the North Central as some NYSC corps members train aggressively in Benue State.”

National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)

The Nigerian Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is a one-year program designed for college and university graduates in Nigeria, aimed at instilling discipline, industry at work, and a sense of patriotism and loyalty to the nation in every situation they may encounter.

This decision comes in the wake of a call made by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate, urging massive military recruitment to address unemployment and counter the insurgents' recruitment efforts.

2023 Niger Coup

The Presidential Guard in Niger launched a coup on 26 July 2023 and detained President Mohamed Bazoum and his family. A junta named the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP) was formed by senior officers, and they announced their takeover of power through a televised broadcast.

The response from the public varied, with initial demonstrations in support of Bazoum dispersed by mutinous soldiers, followed by subsequent demonstrations in favor of the CNSP.

To prevent violence and protect the president and his family, the Nigerien Armed Forces later joined the CNSP. The international community, including the United States, France, the European Union, and ECOWAS, condemned the coup.

ECOWAS considered the possibility of military intervention and imposed sanctions, while Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali expressed their support for the junta-led Nigerien government and refused to apply any sanctions.