Dare Babalola
The Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation HADIN KAI has revealed that Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists are circulating old photographs and recycled media reports in a bid to mislead the public into believing they still have the capability to attack troops and civilians.
In a press release signed on Tuesday by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, the JTF described the propaganda campaign as a desperate attempt by the terrorists who are currently facing defeat on the battlefield.
The JTF stated that one of the recycled publications is a 9 July 2020 report by YNaija, which falsely claims to be a recent ambush on Nigerian soldiers, adding that the report was actually posted a decade ago.
“The public is hereby informed that these materials are not recent and do not reflect the present operational situation on the ground,” the statement read.
“At no point recently has Operation HADIN KAI lost 20 soldiers. The improved capabilities and well-coordinated air and ground assaults on the terrorists are yielding results, and the terrorists are in severe disarray,” the statement added.
The JTF explained that the terrorists are resorting to psychological warfare, recycling outdated images and misleading publications to project a false sense of strength.
“Unable to withstand the overwhelming operational pressure and battlefield dominance of troops, the terrorists have now resorted to psychological warfare, recycling outdated images and misleading publications to project a false sense of strength,” the statement added.
The statement highlighted several successes recorded by troops in the past week, including the neutralization of scores of fighters, recovery of dangerous weapons and equipment, and the interception of logistics supplies and cash intended to finance terrorist operations.
The statement announced that in one notable operation, troops intercepted logistics supplies and a cash sum of thirty-seven million naira intended to finance terrorist operations, dealing a major setback to their sustainment capability.
Additionally, at Komala in Konduga Local Government Area, troops pursued marauding terrorists along the Gidan Kaji axis, neutralising sixteen insurgents and recovering twenty bicycles, weapons, and a cache of critical logistics items essential to the terrorists’ survival.
The JTF urged the public and media organizations to verify information from credible official sources before sharing content that may aid terrorist propaganda, and encouraged citizens to remain calm and support security agencies with timely and actionable information.
“We urge the public to remain vigilant and not be swayed by the terrorists’ propaganda campaign. We remain committed to the total defeat of terrorism and the restoration of lasting peace and stability in the North East,” the statement quoted the JTF as saying.
The statement concluded that Operation HADIN KAI remains committed to the total defeat of terrorism and the restoration of lasting peace and stability in the North East.
