Former spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Sani Usman (retd.), has said that one of the most difficult phases of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency operations was not only the physical combat in the North-East but the fierce propaganda war waged by Boko Haram to undermine public trust in government institutions.

Speaking in Abuja on Saturday at an event marking the 35th anniversary of the Federal Capital Territory chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Usman said the military had to rethink its entire communication strategy to stop the insurgents from shaping public perception during the height of the conflict.

The former army Image maker, however, admitted that the troops sometimes suffered heavy casualties in ambushes and surprise attacks across the North-East.

“We were in the middle of an information war that tested our credibility, speed, and strategic communication under pressure. Again, we fought two wars simultaneously.

“One was a physical war against insurgents on the ground and the other, an information war against their digital propaganda and global misinformation network,” he said.

According to him, the situation peaked around 2014 when Boko Haram’s threats carried more weight than official statements, leaving Nigerians uncertain about whom to believe.

“In 2014, we had a situation where the average Nigerian did not even know whom to believe, whether the insurgents or the government.

“And this was because, sincerely speaking, when the insurgents threatened they would do something, they always went ahead to do it. So, that was the situation I inherited,” he noted.

He recalled how the group used social media platforms, especially YouTube, to gain followers, instil fear and control the narrative.

At the time, he said, merely mentioning “Boko Haram” or its leader, Abubakar Shekau, openly could lead to being targeted.

“They were all over social media platforms, particularly YouTube, where they exploited the Internet and emerging technologies to shape narratives, build followers, whip up sentiments, and, in fact, instil fear in Nigerians,” he said.

Usman revealed that the military was forced to adopt a proactive communication doctrine, prioritising transparency and narrative ownership to maintain public trust.

“So, we developed a three-part doctrine. We became the first to break our story, and we are factual and, most importantly, forthright about it. But it came with great cost anyway,” he said.

The ex-military spokesman added that the experience showed that credibility remains the strongest asset in any crisis communication.

On his part, Chairman of the FCT NIPR chapter, Stanley Ogadigo, said the institute was celebrating 35 years of “impactful living” and would continue to strengthen professional ethics among public relations practitioners.

Boko Haram, under Abubakar Shekau, gained international notoriety after the 2014 abduction of nearly 300 schoolgirls from Chibok.

Shekau later reportedly killed himself in 2021 rather than surrender to the Islamic State West Africa Province, which has since become the dominant jihadist faction in the North-East.

The insurgency, now in its 15th year, has led to many military and civilian deaths, with over two million people displaced across the Lake Chad basin.

Rival jihadist factions also continue to clash for control of territory and influence. (The PUNCH)