Mohamed Garba
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has formally refuted a viral video purporting to show a recent terrorist assault on troops in Marte, Borno State, clarifying that the footage actually dates back to December 2020 and is unrelated to the May 12, 2025 encounter.
Major General Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, stated that a forensic examination of terrain, visuals, and operational cues conclusively demonstrated the clip’s misrepresentation. He warned that terrorist sympathizers and criminal elements are recycling and manipulating the old footage to mislead the public, discredit military successes, and erode confidence in the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).
On Monday, May 12, 2025, at approximately 0300 hrs, troops of the AFN stationed in Marte came under a coordinated attack by a sizeable terrorist group. Despite the early-hour assault, Nigerian forces repelled the attackers following intense gunfire, neutralizing a significant number of terrorists while others fled with gunshot injuries.
The military’s swift response emphasized its operational readiness and ongoing commitment to degrading terrorist capabilities in the North East.
The contested video first surfaced online on December 7, 2020, and was subject to a detailed forensic review by DHQ analysts. Key discrepancies highlighted include: the landscape and vegetation featured in the clip differ markedly from the semi-arid surroundings of Marte. Uniform styles, equipment markings, and the behavior of combatants did not align with the AFN’s current operational protocols.
The timing, unit formations, and tactical maneuvers observed in the footage correspond to a separate engagement, not the May 12 incident. These factors collectively confirm that the video cannot represent the recent encounter in Marte, according to the Nigerian Army.
In a statement released on Friday, Major General Kangye condemned the circulation of the outdated clip as an orchestrated misinformation campaign aimed at exploiting social media gullibility to spur unwarranted fear, demoralizing troops, and undermining the morale of soldiers engaged in frontline operations. Eroding the confidence of Nigerians, weakening Nigerians’ trust in the Armed Forces’ capacity to secure the nation.
He emphasised: “This act of misinformation is not only malicious but also a failed attempt to demoralize our gallant troops and undermine the confidence of Nigerians in the Armed Forces. Those behind such disinformation campaigns will be identified and held accountable in accordance with the law.”
Furthermore, Kangye reassured citizens of the AFN’s unwavering resolve to safeguard sovereignty and maintain momentum against terrorist networks across all theatres of operation.
The DHQ urged the general public to disregard the fake video and to avoid sharing or believing the recycled footage. He emphasized that the public should rely on official channels and seek updates from the Defence Headquarters, the Nigerian Army, and other verified military platforms. By doing so, Nigerians can support the collective effort to counter terrorism and maintain national security integrity.
