Reports about Boko Haram taking over Nigerian territory are false, says group

The Coalition Against Terrorism in Nigeria (CATE) has dismissed reports that the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP) has taken control of some territory in the country.

There are reports that the sect defeated the Nigerian military and captured some areas in the northeast.

In a statement signed by Gabriel Onoja, national coordinator of the group, urged the media not to be used as tools for propaganda.

Read the full statement below:

CATE has tracked media reports of an alleged Sunday’s captured or occupation of Marte, headquarters of Marte Local Government Area of Borno State, by the marauding terrorists operating around the Lake Chad basin under the auspices of ISWAP. 

We note that the report exposed a failure to reference on the ground facts but rather resorted to quoting “dependable sources” to infer a development as serious as the alleged capture of a town. A few versions of reports on other platforms have embellished what they got from this initial source.

Knowing that series of attempted incursions by Boko Haram terrorists have recently been ending in their being killed in dozens, the story convoluted facts to create the impression that the insurgents suddenly become invincible overnight, whereas they were dealt decisive blows in their attempted attack similar to the trouncing they have suffered in recent weeks.

CATE has contacts on the ground in the affected area. They have confirmed that what transpired in Marte was blown out of proportion, which raises the question whether Nigeria is in the grip of mischief by a section of the media. Nothing in the reported capture of Marte checked out.

Based on facts obtained from on the ground assessment, the story of the purported capture of Marte was found to be aimed at derailing the war against terrorism with intent to demoralize government troops that are carrying out the operation with selfless sacrifices that have earned the country respite from the scourge of Boko Haram. 

We urge the professional media organizations to continue adhering to the time-tested tenets of journalism that is built around objectivity, fairness balance and due consideration for national interest and the general public good.

We urge the Nigerian military to keep up its punishing onslaught against the terrorists that had thought they could make life unbearable for Nigerians. The recourse to lies by supporters of the terrorists is not enough to invalidate the divine mandate that the Niegrian Armed Forces have to liberate the country from its enemies.

Finally, the Nigerian military has confirmed it’s new posture as the last hope of the common masses and we urge this patriotic and selfless members of the armed forces never to be derailed by the antics of terrorists and their sponsors.