The Nigerian Army has expressed concern over the growing spread of fake reports alleging the defeat of troops on the frontline, warning that the misinformation poses a threat to national security and ongoing counter-insurgency operations against Boko Haram in the North-East.

The Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, stated this on Tuesday in Maiduguri during an engagement with media practitioners covering defence and frontline operations against terrorism and other security threats.

He said the nature of modern asymmetric warfare makes information management as critical as kinetic operations, noting that propaganda is often deployed by insurgents and their collaborators to influence public perception and undermine military morale.

“War is being fought not only on the battlefield but also in the information space. What is reported and how it is reported can either strengthen national resolve or weaken it,” he said.

Maj.-Gen. Abubakar urged the media to ensure strict verification of reports before publication, stressing that experiences from other conflict theatres have shown how misinformation can distort official realities when not properly checked.

The commander expressed concern that unverified content circulating on social media has portrayed operational setbacks and alleged troop defeat, describing such narratives as inaccurate and harmful to ongoing military operations.

He cautioned against the activities of individuals without professional journalistic training who disseminate unverified security-related information online, saying such actions fuel misinformation and complicate military efforts.

According to him, Operation Hadin Kai has recorded significant operational gains, including the neutralisation of terrorist elements and disruption of logistics networks, stressing that asymmetric warfare does not follow conventional battle lines.

He also noted that insurgents have continued to adopt evolving tactics, including blending into civilian communities, which he said complicates identification and engagement during operations.

Maj.-Gen. Abubakar called for stronger collaboration between the military and the media to ensure accurate reporting and to help isolate insurgents from civilian populations through responsible communication.

He further urged journalists to maintain professionalism and always seek official clarification before publishing sensitive security-related information.

He added that Operation Hadin Kai remains committed to both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, including community engagement, infrastructure support, and humanitarian interventions aimed at stabilising liberated communities in the North-East. (Nigerian Tribune)

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