The Joint Task Force (North East) under Operation Hadin Kai has reported that Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) are promoting old photographs and recirculated news articles, including false accusations of a recent incident in which 20 soldiers were allegedly killed.
Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force, shared these insights in a statement released on Tuesday, March 3.
Uba denounced the renewed propaganda effort, suggesting it is a desperate ploy to mislead the public into believing that these terror groups still possess the capacity to conduct attacks on security forces and innocent civilians.
The spokesman highlighted that the materials being shared are outdated and do not accurately represent the current operational circumstances on the ground.
He pointed out, "One example of these recycled materials is a report from YNaija dated July 9, 2020, which incorrectly resurfaces and claims to show an ambush on Nigerian soldiers.
“Our verification processes confirm that this report is nearly a decade old.
"These incidents are being maliciously recirculated to sow fear and mislead the public about the situational realities in the North East, where terrorists are, in fact, facing significant challenges."
Uba emphasized, "This statement serves to inform the public that these reports are not from recent events and do not reflect current operations.
“Operation HADIN KAI has not lost 20 soldiers in recent times.
“The enhanced operational capabilities, alongside coordinated air and ground strikes against the terrorists, are producing favorable results, significantly disadvantaging the insurgents.
"Contrary to the false narratives propagated by terrorists and their supporters, the operational situation actually shows that the insurgents are in severe disarray due to persistent and organized attacks by Operation HADIN KAI."
He noted some of the latest achievements of the task force.
Uba remarked, "In just the past week, our troops have successfully engaged in decisive actions against terrorist positions and their supply lines across various fronts.
“At locations such as Miyanti, Gajigana, and Gajiram, terrorists who attempted to regroup faced intense resistance, leading to significant neutralization of their fighters.
“Our troops also seized lethal weaponry and gear, including anti-aircraft systems, rocket bombs, machine guns, and a variety of rifles discarded by fleeing insurgents.
“In another crucial success at the Chabbal checkpoint, alert troops intercepted a logistics supply along with cash amounting to thirty-seven million Naira that was intended to fund terrorist operations. This interception has significantly undermined their logistical capabilities.
“Similarly, at Komala in the Konduga Local Government Area, troops pursued encroaching terrorists along the Gidan Kaji route, leading to the neutralization of sixteen insurgents while also recovering twenty bicycles, weaponry, and essential supplies critical for the terrorists' ongoing operations, all of which were subsequently destroyed."
Uba stated that these cumulative successes demonstrate a consistent reduction in the capabilities of the terrorists.
“Faced with intense operational pressure and battlefield supremacy from our forces, terrorists have reverted to psychological warfare, recycling outdated images and misleading news to project an inflated sense of power.
“The Joint Task Force calls on the public and media organizations to verify facts from reliable official channels before sharing information that could bolster terrorist propaganda.
“Citizens are advised to remain calm, carry out their lawful activities, and assist security forces with timely and actionable intelligence.
"Operation HADIN KAI remains steadfast, focused, and committed to the absolute defeat of terrorism and the restoration of lasting peace in the North East,” concluded the statement.
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