By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed a report by an online medium, describing it as misleading and a gross misrepresentation of remarks by the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, on the fight against terrorism in Borno State and Yobe State.
The DHQ said the report wrongly portrayed the CDS as indicting residents of the two states as being complicit in terrorism, stressing that no such generalisation was made.
The Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, who clarified the position in a statement issued on Thursday, said the military was compelled to respond due to the potential of the report to misinform the public and undermine ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
He explained that the CDS only emphasized the importance of community partnership, vigilance and collective responsibility in addressing evolving security challenges.
“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 statement quoted the CDS as saying.
The DHQ noted that the call for residents to “take ownership” of the fight is in line with globally accepted counterinsurgency practices, which rely on close collaboration between security forces and local communities.
It further clarified that the CDS referenced specific instances where criminal elements and collaborators exploited community structures to aid terrorist activities, citing a case where wounded insurgents were found within a community after participating in an attack on troops.
According to the DHQ, the observation was not a blanket accusation but a factual example intended to encourage vigilance and stronger cooperation with security agencies.
“Our people must resolve that this has to come to an end,” the CDS was further quoted as saying.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity and protecting law-abiding citizens, noting that significant progress continues to be recorded in ongoing operations across the North-East and other theatres.
It also urged media organisations and content creators to uphold professionalism by verifying facts and avoiding sensational reporting capable of eroding public trust or creating unnecessary tension.
The DHQ commended residents of Borno, Yobe and other Nigerians for their resilience and cooperation, as well as the role of journalists in the collective fight against terrorism.
