The Defence Headquarters has dismissed a viral video claiming to show a recent attack on Nigerian troops in Marte, Borno State, calling it recycled propaganda meant to mislead the public and weaken morale within the Armed Forces.
In a statement released on Friday, May 16, in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, explained that a forensic review showed the video originally appeared in December 2020 and has no link to any current incidents. He said the clip is being reused by individuals supporting terrorist groups to spread false information and discredit the military’s counter-terrorism efforts.
Kangye confirmed there was an attempted terrorist attack on troops in Marte on May 12 around 3:00 a.m., but assured the public that soldiers successfully repelled the attack, killing several insurgents and forcing others to flee with injuries.
He condemned the spread of the outdated footage, warning that it’s part of a strategy to create fear and erode public confidence in the military. Investigations are underway to identify and prosecute those behind the disinformation campaign.
Kangye urged Nigerians to ignore the misleading video and rely only on verified information from official sources. He emphasized that the Armed Forces remain committed to protecting the country’s sovereignty and are making steady progress in the fight against terrorism.