By Nkechi Eze
The Defence Headquarters has strongly condemned what it described as a misleading and widely circulated report by an online medium that misrepresented the recent remarks of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, concerning ongoing counterterrorism efforts in Borno and Yobe States.
In an official statement, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, clarified that although the military would ordinarily ignore such distortions, the potential of the report to misinform the public and undermine critical operations made it necessary to respond and set the record straight.
The Defence Headquarters firmly refuted claims that the CDS had accused or generalized that residents of Borno and Yobe States were complicit in terrorism. According to the statement, General Oluyede’s remarks were instead focused on underscoring the importance of community partnership, vigilance, and shared responsibility in tackling the nation’s evolving security challenges.
Quoting the CDS, the statement noted: “The fight against terrorism is not the responsibility of the military alone. It is a collective duty. The people of Borno and Yobe must reject terrorism in all its forms and actively support security agencies with credible and timely information.”
The military high command emphasized that the CDS’ call for residents to “take ownership” of the counterterrorism fight aligns with globally accepted counterinsurgency strategies, which stress that sustainable security can only be achieved through strong collaboration between security forces and local communities.
Providing further context, the Defence Headquarters explained that the CDS had referenced specific instances where criminal elements and collaborators exploited community structures to aid terrorist activities. In one such example, wounded terrorists who had previously attacked troops were discovered within a community, suggesting the involvement of some individuals. The statement stressed that this was not a blanket accusation against entire populations, but rather a factual observation intended to encourage vigilance and cooperation.
Reiterating his position, General Oluyede was quoted as saying, “Our people must resolve that this has to come to an end,” a remark the military said was aimed at galvanizing collective action against terrorism.
The Defence Headquarters reaffirmed the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to its constitutional mandate of defending the nation’s territorial integrity and protecting law-abiding citizens, noting that significant successes continue to be recorded in ongoing operations across the North East and other theatres.
It also called on media organisations and content creators to uphold professionalism by verifying facts and avoiding sensationalism or misleading framing that could create unnecessary tension or erode public trust.
The military further expressed appreciation for the resilience, cooperation, and sacrifices of the people of Borno, Yobe, and indeed all Nigerians in the fight against terrorism, while also acknowledging the vital role of journalists in supporting national security efforts.
“Together, we shall overcome the enemies of our nation,” the statement added.
