The Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation HADIN KAI has dismissed claims by remnants of Boko Haram and ISWAP that they retain the capacity to launch attacks on troops and civilians.
In a statement signed by Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, the military said terrorists are circulating outdated images and recycled reports to create a false impression of operational strength.
The statement described one of the materials being shared as a July 9, 2020 publication that resurfaced with images of soldiers allegedly killed in an ambush. The JTF said its fact-checking mechanism confirmed the report was old and misrepresented current realities.
It stressed that at no time recently had Operation HADIN KAI lost 20 soldiers, adding that ongoing air and ground operations have significantly weakened terrorist networks.
The task force highlighted recent operations in areas including Miyanti, Gajigana and Gajiram, where troops engaged insurgents attempting to regroup.
According to the statement, troops recovered weapons and equipment such as anti-aircraft platforms, rocket bombs, machine guns and assorted rifles abandoned by fleeing fighters.
At the Chabbal checkpoint, soldiers reportedly intercepted logistics supplies and a cash sum of N37 million intended to finance terrorist activities, a move the JTF said dealt a major setback to their operations.
The military also claimed that at Komala in Konduga Local Government Area, troops engaged insurgents along the Gidan Kaji axis and neutralised 16 fighters. It added that 20 bicycles, weapons and other logistics items were recovered and destroyed.
Describing the propaganda effort as psychological warfare, the JTF said terrorists are recycling outdated content because they cannot withstand sustained military pressure.
The task force urged members of the public and media organisations to verify information from credible sources before sharing content that could amplify terrorist propaganda.
It reaffirmed its commitment to defeating terrorism and restoring lasting peace and stability in the North-East.