March 16, (THEWILL) — The Nigerian Army has accused the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its sympathisers of spreading ethnicity-driven propaganda aimed at discrediting ongoing military operations in the South-East.
Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Olabisi Ayeni, disclosed this in a statement while reacting to viral claims circulating online that images of recovered improvised explosive devices (IEDs) released by the military were fabricated.
Ayeni said the images, which were published alongside a press release on Thursday, depicted IEDs recovered during Operation Eastern Sanity, conducted simultaneously in Imo and Anambra states as part of intensified efforts to dismantle armed groups operating in the region.
He explained that the explosives were recovered from the Orsu–Eketutu Mother Valley and Orsu–Ihiteukwa areas of Imo State during ongoing operations under Operation UDO KA, a security initiative targeting violent separatist elements across parts of the South-East.
According to him, the geo-location details embedded in the images were deliberately blurred for operational security purposes, stressing that the measure was not intended to mislead the public but to prevent the exposure of sensitive operational locations.
“The devices in the images were recovered during the ongoing operations in the operational areas as earlier stated. Unfortunately, IPOB sympathisers manipulated the blurred metadata and circulated altered versions online, falsely suggesting the images originated from Lagos and Oyo states,” Ayeni said.
He noted that the disinformation campaign was largely propagated on social media platforms, particularly X (Twitter) and Facebook, by accounts allegedly linked to IPOB sympathisers.
Ayeni further alleged that beyond manipulating metadata attached to the images, some individuals had attempted to shift the narrative by highlighting the ethnic identity of a serving officer rather than addressing the facts surrounding the military operation.
According to him, such tactics are deliberate attempts to sow division, undermine the credibility of the armed forces, and weaken national cohesion.
“It is not gainsaying that troops have dislodged several camps, hideouts, and IED-making factories belonging to IPOB and its armed wing. .
“The camps were located within the Mother Valley general area spanning Imo and Anambra State. Having lost operational assets and capacity to terrorise residents, they have now resorted to propaganda, fake news and divisive narratives,” he said.
The Army spokesman added that the Headquarters of Operation UDO KA had invited media organisations, civil society groups, and other stakeholders for a verification tour of the operational areas.
He said the inspection would allow independent observers to verify recovery locations and view seized IED-making materials without compromising operational security.
Ayeni reiterated that the Nigerian Army remains a professional, apolitical, and multi-ethnic institution whose personnel serve across the country irrespective of their state of origin.
He urged Nigerians and social media users to verify information from official sources before sharing and to prioritise national unity over ethnic sentiments.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
