Operation HADIN KAI: ‘ISWAP lied, no 20 soldiers killed,’ Nigerian Army insists

The Nigerian Army, under the Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI, has dismissed claims by remnants of Boko Haram and ISWAP alleging they recently ambushed troops and inflicted heavy casualties.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, the task force described the reports as recycled propaganda aimed at misleading the public.

According to the statement, terrorists have been circulating old photographs and outdated media reports to create a false impression that they still possess the capacity to launch large-scale attacks.

“The attention of the Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI has been drawn to a renewed propaganda campaign by remnants of Boko Haram and ISWAP,” the statement read.

It cited a July 9, 2020 publication, which allegedly resurfaced online with claims of a recent ambush that left 20 soldiers dead.

“Our fact-check mechanism shows that the report was posted a decade ago. At no point recently has Operation HADIN KAI lost 20 soldiers,” the statement emphasised.

The task force maintained that ongoing coordinated air and ground operations have continued to degrade terrorist capabilities across the North-East.

Highlighting recent operational gains, the Army said troops dealt decisive blows to insurgents in Miyanti, Gajigana and Gajiram, where fighters attempting to regroup were engaged.

Weapons recovered from fleeing insurgents reportedly include anti-aircraft platforms, rocket bombs, machine guns and assorted rifles.

In another operation at Chabbal checkpoint, troops intercepted logistics supplies and a cash sum of N37 million allegedly meant to finance terrorist activities.

The statement described the interception as a major setback to the insurgents’ operations.

At Komala in Konduga Local Government Area, troops engaged suspected insurgents along the Gidan Kaji axis, neutralising 16 fighters.

The Army said 20 bicycles, weapons and other logistics items critical to the insurgents’ survival were recovered and destroyed.

The task force accused the terrorists of resorting to psychological warfare due to sustained battlefield pressure.

“Unable to withstand the overwhelming operational pressure and battlefield dominance of troops, the terrorists have now resorted to psychological warfare, recycling outdated images and misleading publications to project a false sense of strength,” the statement added.

Operation HADIN KAI urged members of the public and media organisations to verify information from credible sources before sharing content that could aid terrorist propaganda.