Former spokesperson of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (retd.), has revealed that one of the toughest aspects of Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram was not just the physical battle on the ground, but the war of misinformation and propaganda launched by the terrorist group.
Usman explained that Boko Haram deliberately spread false narratives and manipulated information to weaken public confidence in the Nigerian military and government institutions. According to him, countering such propaganda required constant communication efforts, accurate reporting, and sustained public enlightenment to prevent citizens from being misled.
He stressed that while soldiers were risking their lives in the frontlines, the group’s disinformation campaign often painted the military in a negative light, creating confusion and distrust among the populace.
“The battle against terrorism is not only fought with guns and bullets; it is also a war of perception and information,” he said, emphasizing the need for Nigerians to verify news before sharing and to trust verified military sources for updates on security operations.
Usman further urged the media and civil society to play active roles in combating fake news, which he described as a major obstacle to national security and peace efforts.