DHQ denies ISWAP capture of Naval Base in Lake Chad

•  Says video in circulation is fake

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has refuted reports demonstrated on a video by the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) on the capture of the Naval Base in Lake Chad basin in the north east by the terrorists. The Defence Headquarters described the video being circulated in the social media as fake, telling Nigerians to ignore the fake mews.

The military in a statement acknowledged the news alert on another mischievous video footage being circulated online by the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), claiming the capture of a Naval Base in north east Nigeria.

“In its usual mannerism, after suffering major defeats in encounters with Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency troops, the terrorists group has cloned another video, in an unwitting attempt to disseminate and propagate false information in order to gain accolades and present a public image of a virile force.

“It is crucial to recall that the terrorists group had earlier circulated a similar video, following an encounter with troops in Baga area of the Lake Chad region, where they claimed to have taken over the Naval Base, Lake Chad.

“Apparently, this video, shows ISWAP occupation of a disused boat yard, which is still being mischievously circulated, after careful doctoring, to portray a phantom capture of Naval Base, Baga, as if it were a recent victory in its insurgency campaign.

“The video footage is undoubtedly an unclever and amateurish attempt to save face, having suffered enormous losses in several encounters with troops in the last seven months. It is also another failed ISWAP propaganda effort to project itself as a potent force with maritime capabilities.

“It is worthwhile to recall here, that both ISWAP and BHT have severally suffered defeat during fierce offensive operations and Air interdictions conducted by troops of the Multi National Joint Taskforce (MNJTF) and Operation Lafiya Dole in Doron Naira, Ngouma in Cameroun, Arege, Malkonory and Tumbun Rego, where several insurgents were neutralised, including an ISWAP Commander,” the military declared.

The Defence Headquarters also stated that the insurgents were equally, recently defeated in the battles of Goniri, Nbaga and Gero by the gallant troops of Operation Lafiya Dole. “Suffice to mention that huge cache of arms, ammunition and other weapon systems were recovered from the insurgents during the offensive operations,” the statement added.

The Defence Headquarters appealed: “Members of the public are, therefore, please urged not fall for the propaganda antics of ISWAP and Boko Haram terrorists and to discountenance the false video.”