Wednesday, May 6, 2026 - The Nigerian Army has raised concern over the spread of fake reports alleging the defeat of troops on the frontline, warning that such 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.
Abubakar said modern warfare is not only fought on the
battlefield but also in the information space, where propaganda is often used
to influence public perception and undermine military morale.
He stressed that inaccurate reporting could distort
realities on ground and weaken national resolve if not properly checked.
The commander expressed concern over unverified social media
reports suggesting operational setbacks and troop defeat, describing them as
misleading and harmful to ongoing operations.
He cautioned against the activities of individuals without
professional journalistic training who circulate unverified security
information online, noting that such actions fuel misinformation and complicate
military efforts.
Abubakar maintained that Operation Hadin Kai has continued
to record operational successes, including the neutralisation of terrorist
elements and disruption of their logistics networks.
He also noted that insurgents have adopted evolving tactics,
including blending into civilian communities, which complicates identification
and engagement.
The Theatre Commander called for stronger collaboration
between the military and the media to ensure accurate reporting and responsible
communication.
He urged journalists to verify sensitive security-related
information with official sources before publication.
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