The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has debunked a viral video circulating on social media, which falsely claims to show a recent Boko Haram attack on military personnel in Marte, Borno State.
In a statement released on Friday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, clarified that the footage has no connection to the terrorist assault that took place on May 12, 2025.
Instead, the video has been traced back to an unrelated event from December 2020.
Kangye noted that a detailed analysis of the visuals confirmed discrepancies in the terrain, scene elements, and operational setting, making it clear that the clip does not reflect the current military situation in Marte.
He accused terrorist sympathisers and criminal actors of deliberately recycling the old video to mislead the public and lower the morale of Nigerian troops.
According to Kangye, troops were indeed attacked in Marte around 3 a.m. on May 12 but successfully thwarted the assault after a fierce gunfight, killing several insurgents and forcing others to retreat with injuries.
Following the failed attack, he said, enemies of the state resorted to propaganda by sharing outdated footage to spread fear and confusion.
Describing the act as a malicious effort to discredit military achievements and weaken public confidence, Kangye reiterated that the Armed Forces remain focused and committed to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“This deliberate spread of misinformation is intended to undermine our gallant troops and destabilise public trust in the Armed Forces.
“We condemn this fake content in the strongest terms and will ensure those behind it face legal consequences,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to disregard the misleading video and seek updates only from verified military communication channels, adding that public support remains vital in the fight against terrorism and national insecurity.