The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed as misleading a report by an online medium that allegedly misrepresented recent remarks made by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, on the fight against terrorism in Borno and Yobe States.
In a statement, the DHQ said although it would ordinarily ignore such distortions, it was compelled to respond due to the potential of the report to misinform the public and undermine ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
The military high command stressed that at no point did the CDS accuse or generalize that residents of Borno and Yobe States are complicit in terrorism, as portrayed in the report. Rather, General Oluyede emphasized the importance of community partnership, vigilance, and collective responsibility in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
Quoting the CDS, the statement noted: “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.”
According to the DHQ, the call for citizens to “take ownership” of the fight aligns with global counterinsurgency strategies, which prioritize collaboration between security forces and local communities as a pathway to sustainable peace.
The statement further explained that the CDS referenced specific incidents where criminal elements exploited community structures to support terrorist activities. In one instance, wounded insurgents who had participated in attacks on troops were discovered within a community, suggesting the involvement of some collaborators.
However, the DHQ clarified that this was not a blanket accusation against entire communities, but a factual observation aimed at encouraging vigilance and cooperation.
Reaffirming its commitment, the Armed Forces of Nigeria stated that it remains dedicated to defending the nation’s territorial integrity and protecting law-abiding citizens, noting ongoing successes in operations across the North-East and other regions.
The DHQ also called on media organisations and content creators to uphold professionalism by verifying facts and avoiding sensationalism that could heighten tension or erode public trust.
It expressed appreciation for the resilience and cooperation of residents in Borno, Yobe, and across the country, as well as the contributions of journalists in supporting national security efforts, adding that collective action remains key to defeating terrorism.