The Defence Headquarters has dismissed a viral video circulating online, which claims to show a recent attack on Nigerian troops in Marte, Borno State. The video, described as recycled propaganda, was labeled an attempt to mislead the public and undermine the morale of the Armed Forces. Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, confirmed in a statement on May 16 that a forensic review revealed the footage was originally from December 2020 and unrelated to any current events.
Kangye stated that the video is being revived by those aligned with terrorist groups to spread false information and misrepresent the military’s efforts against terrorism. While acknowledging an attempted terrorist attack on Nigerian troops in Marte on May 12, Kangye emphasized that the soldiers successfully repelled the attack, killing several insurgents and forcing others to retreat.
The Defence Headquarters condemned the use of the outdated video and warned that it was part of a psychological warfare strategy aimed at creating doubt among the public. Kangye urged citizens to ignore the misleading video and rely on accurate information from official sources. He reassured the public that the Nigerian Armed Forces remain dedicated to protecting the country’s sovereignty and are making significant progress in defeating terrorist groups.
