DHQ dismisses alleged viral gory pictures, videos of killings in North West, North Central zones

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), on Sunday, dismissed a trending picture with caption “Alhamdulillah. ZamfaraMustSecure” and several other viral gory pictures and videos of dumping into mass grave of persons purported to have been killed in the ongoing military operations in the North West and North Central geographical zones of the country.

In a statement, Director, Defence Information, Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr said the allegation was false and malicious and had no link whatsoever with the operations being conducted by troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).

He said it was true that the AFN was conducting successful military operations against bandits and kidnappers in line with its constitutional roles.

Sawyerr said these operations were conducted in strict compliance with the rules of armed conflicts, utmost professional manner, strict adherence to rules of engagement and respect for fundamental human rights and dignity.

He added that the viral pictures being circulated had nothing in common with the ongoing operations.

The Director, Defence Information, said this callous action of linking ongoing operations with falsehood was deliberate and thus, sought to tarnish the good image and reputation of the AFN.

He further stated that the AFN conducted a fortnightly defence media operations brief in which pictures of the operations were displayed to complement achievements in the ongoing operations.

Sawyerr said any attempt to portray the AFN in a bad light as a crude force was unacceptable and unpatriotic and urged the general public to disregard the gory pictures.

He said the AFN would not rest on its oars in performing the constitutional mandate of ensuring that “our nation remains safe and peaceful for all law-abiding citizens.”