Metele attack: Stop spreading fake news, Army warns

The Nigeria Army has again warned about the fake news fabricated to demoralise troops , cast aspersion and discredit the military in its operations against the Boko Haram insurgents in the northeast .The Director , Army Public Relations , Brig . Sani Kukasheka Usman , in a statement , said that such publications were aimed to misinform and mislead the people ; aid the insurgents ’ cause and scuttle the 2019 election .

Kukasheka disclosed that some elements had continued to publicise inaccurate casualty figures despite the clarifications by the Army Headquarters on casualties recorded at Metele and other military locations in the northeast .

The statement read in part , “ The Nigerian Army has noted with great concern the deliberate and concerted efforts to mislead the public by some people through misinformation . Thus ; create erroneous impression of the Nigerian Army through inaccurate and false publication of casualty figures on the unfortunate attacks on some of its locations in the northeast .

“ The latest of this worrisome development was the attack on our troops ’ location at Metele, Borno , in which some persons and media outlets continued to circulate various wrong accounts and inaccurate casualty figures of troops without efforts to verify from the military .

“ This is coming on the heels of our release on November 28 , 2018 ; which gave accurate details of the attacks and casualty figures in a bid to set the records straight and inform the public true account of things .

“ We also promised to continuously carry the public along through accurate and timely information dissemination on operations and other activities of the Nigerian Army . ”

“ However , it was observed that the trend continued unabated , most of these inaccurate , false reports and fake news was aimed at denigrating the leadership of the Nigerian Army ” .

“ Regrettably , the rate at which some mischievous persons ignorantly attack the Armed Forces especially the Nigerian Army is very alarming and unfortunate .

“ This is a deliberate attempt to demoralise the Nigerian Army which would have devastating consequences on troops ’ will to discharge their constitutional duties especially in the fight against terrorism and insurgency , thus affecting national security , ” the statement added .

Kukasheka warned ‘ mischief makers ’ to keep the Nigerian Army out of politics and mischief , and urged journalists to ensure accurate reportage as well as adhere to professional ethics.

( NAN )

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