ARMY WARNS OF IPOB-LINKED ONLINE CAMPAIGN TO UNDERMINE OPERATIONS IN SOUTHEAST
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
The Nigerian Army has accused individuals sympathetic to the Indigenous People of Biafra of orchestrating a social media campaign aimed at undermining recent military operations in the South-East.
The allegation was detailed in a statement on Sunday by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations at the Headquarters of Operation Udo Ka (OPUK) and the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Olabisi Ayeni.
According to the Army, recent online posts challenging the authenticity of images showing improvised explosive devices recovered by troops were part of a coordinated effort to cast doubt on ongoing security operations in the region.
The military added that, instead of highlighting the operational successes achieved by troops, some social media users attempted to inflame ethnic tensions by focusing on the background of the Army spokesperson who issued the operational update.
The Army described the development as a deliberate attempt to distract the public from recent gains against armed groups linked to IPOB and its militant wing, the Eastern Security Network.
The controversy arose following the release of images on March 12, 2026, showing improvised explosive devices allegedly recovered by troops during Operation Eastern Sanity, an ongoing offensive targeting insurgent camps in the Orsu axis of Imo State and Anambra State.
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Some social media posts challenged the authenticity of the photographs, claiming the devices were not recovered in the South-East and suggesting that the images originated from other regions of the country.
However, the Army dismissed the claims as misinformation, explaining that the geolocation details on the images were deliberately blurred as part of standard operational security measures.
The military stated that, in recent weeks, troops have dismantled several camps, hideouts, and IED-making facilities linked to IPOB and the Eastern Security Network in the Orsu–Eketutu “Mother Valley” area, which spans parts of Imo State and Anambra State.
“The devices shown in the released images were recovered during the ongoing Operation Eastern Sanity, conducted simultaneously in Imo and Anambra states, as indicated in our official media releases on the operation,” the Army added.
“However, the geolocation on the images was intentionally blurred for operational security and not for any other reason,” the statement said.
The Army further alleged that some IPOB sympathizers tampered with the metadata and geolocation markers on the photographs to falsely suggest that the recoveries took place in Lagos State and Oyo State, instead of the South-East.
“These actions demonstrate how IPOB and the Eastern Security Network can stoop to manipulate the people of Igbo land and Nigeria at large.
“Focusing on ethnicity rather than facts reflects the core of the divisive narratives promoted by IPOB/ESN, aimed at undermining peace and stability in the South-East and threatening national cohesion,” the statement added.
To address the controversy and promote transparency, the Army announced that it had invited media organisations, civil society groups, and independent observers to participate in a verification tour of the Orsu–Eketutu “Mother Valley” and Orsu–Ihiteukwa operational areas.
The military added that interested media executives, defence correspondents, and civil society representatives could coordinate with the Army Public Relations Department at the Headquarters of the 82 Division to arrange an inspection of the operational sites and view recovered IED-making materials in a controlled setting that would not compromise ongoing operations.
Reaffirming its institutional integrity, the Army emphasised that the Nigerian military is a professional, multi-ethnic organisation, with personnel deployed across the country regardless of their state of origin.
“The Nigerian Army is, and remains, an apolitical, professional, and multi-ethnic institution. Personnel are deployed nationwide, irrespective of their state of origin, in service to the nation,” the statement said.
The Army also urged Nigerians to exercise caution when sharing unverified information online, warning that misinformation, ethnic profiling, and propaganda could undermine security operations in sensitive areas.
It added that the original images from the operation, the blurred versions published on official platforms, and alleged manipulated copies circulated online had all been made available for public scrutiny.
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