By Nkechi Eze
The Force Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), Major General Moses Gara, has strongly denied a debunked report by Sahara Reporters alleging that the Nigerian military received prior intelligence on the 13 June 2025 attacks in Benue State but failed to act.
Speaking to journalists at the OPWS Headquarters in Makurdi, Major General Gara described the publication as false, misleading, and a dangerous form of cyberbullying aimed at discrediting the Nigerian military and undermining public trust in its operations.
In a statement signed by Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, the Commander emphasized that the claim said to be based on a leaked memo from the Department of State Services (DSS) dated 13 May 2025 was completely unfounded. He stated that there is no record of such a document being received at the OPWS Headquarters.
“There is no evidence to show that such a memo was ever received at this Headquarters. If Sahara Reporters or any other party is in possession of such a document, they should produce proof that it was formally dispatched and received at Headquarters OPWS,” Major General Gara stated.
He clarified that intelligence gathering and threat alerts are a routine aspect of counter-insurgency operations, and every piece of intelligence is treated with urgency and strategic assessment. He noted, however, that the unpredictable and asymmetric nature of threats especially from criminal elements who often disguise themselves among civilians, makes it difficult to accurately forecast the timing and location of attacks.
Reaffirming the military’s dedication to safeguarding lives and property in Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States, Major General Gara urged the public to rely only on verified information and to avoid spreading unconfirmed reports that could incite fear or mistrust.
He also appealed to media organizations to maintain professionalism, especially when reporting on national security matters.
“This kind of misleading publication does more harm than good. It demoralizes our troops, misinforms the public, and emboldens criminal elements,” he warned.
