The Nigerian Army has dismissed a news story by Sahara Reporters website alleging that about 700 soldiers were missing and more than 2,000 people trapped after Boko Haram insurgents purportedly took over Baga, a fishing settlement in Borno State.

“This is not only untrue but a deliberate mischief on the part of the medium to create erroneous impression about the military and the concerted effort of the ongoing clearing and mop up operations in the general area. Therefore, no one could give accurate details of the encounter yet, as the troops have been reinforced and are busy with pursuit and mopping up operations against the terrorists,” Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman, said Friday evening in a statement.

He advised Sahara Reporters “to be more responsible in its reportage and always cross check its facts before posting it on its website.”

“The medium’s position is understandable because the reality on the ground does tally with an earlier scripted or expected narrative handed out by Boko Haram terrorists and their sympathisers as was the case in previous instance. We wish to reiterate that we shall keep the public informed of true position of things in the Theatre,” the Army Spokesman said.