The Defence Headquarters has dismissed reports suggesting that the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, accused residents of Borno State and Yobe State of supporting terrorism, describing such claims as misleading.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the military’s spokesman, Samaila Uba, said the CDS did not generalise or indict the people of the two states but rather stressed the importance of community collaboration in tackling insecurity.
“At no time did the CDS accuse the good people of Borno and Yobe States of being complicit in terrorism, as wrongly reported,” Uba said.
He explained that Oluyede’s comments were aimed at highlighting isolated cases where criminal elements exploit local structures to aid terrorist activities, not a blanket condemnation of entire communities.
“The CDS emphasised the critical role of vigilance, cooperation, and collective responsibility in addressing the nation’s security challenges,” he added.
Uba further cited an instance referenced by the CDS, where injured terrorists were allegedly harboured within a community, noting that such cases point to the need for increased awareness and support for security agencies.
“He referred to specific situations where collaborators may have assisted terrorists, including a case where wounded fighters were found in a community after attacking troops,” the statement noted.
The Defence Headquarters also warned against the spread of inaccurate reports, stressing that misinformation could undermine ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
“It has become necessary to set the record straight in order to prevent misinformation that could weaken national security operations,” Uba said.
He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to protecting citizens and maintaining the country’s territorial integrity, while commending residents of the affected states for their resilience and cooperation.
“We appreciate the continued support of Nigerians, especially communities in the North-East, and remain confident that together, we will overcome the threats facing our nation,” he added.
