The Defence Headquarters has refuted the authenticity of a video making the rounds on social media, which was falsely presented as footage from a recent terrorist ambush on troops in Marte, Borno State.
In a statement issued on Friday, Major General Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, clarified that the video in question is not linked to the May 12, 2025, attack.
Instead, investigations revealed that the content dates back to December 2020 and bears no connection to the recent incident.
According to Kangye, a thorough analysis showed that the landscape, visual elements, and operational circumstances in the video differ significantly from the current situation in Marte.
He accused supporters of terrorist groups and criminal elements of intentionally circulating the old clip to deceive the public and diminish morale among troops.
He explained that on May 12, troops stationed in Marte came under attack around 3:00 a.m., but successfully repelled the assault after intense combat, neutralising several terrorists while others fled with injuries.
In the aftermath, he noted, those sympathetic to the terrorists began circulating the outdated footage as a tool of propaganda.
Kangye condemned the act as a deliberate attempt to sow fear and erode public trust in the Nigerian military.
He stressed that the Armed Forces remain resilient and fully committed to protecting the nation’s sovereignty.
“This type of misinformation is a calculated effort to discourage our brave soldiers and shake citizens’ confidence in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
“We strongly denounce this reckless spread of falsehoods and assure that those responsible will be identified and prosecuted under the law,” Kangye said.
He further urged the public to ignore the misleading video and rely exclusively on verified information from official military sources.
He emphasised that national support and public cooperation are crucial in the ongoing battle against terrorism and insecurity.