The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) said it’s a false and misleading claim by ISWAP that they offered protection to communities in the Lake Chad region.
Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, Chief Military Information Officer, HQ MNJTF N’Djamena, Chad, in a statement described the claim as false and misleading, noting that the ISWAP terrorist groups have been propagating a distorted narrative, falsely portraying a harmonious relationship between the communities in the Lake Chad region and themselves.
“They claim to offer protection and enforce strict Sharia law, which misrepresents the reality of their actions and intentions,” it said.
It said the manipulated footage featured farmers, herders, and fishermen speaking in Hausa, falsely emphasizing their purported harmonious relationship with ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists.
It said the report also contained some unimaginable and poorly articulated falsehoods targeted at whipping up emotions and creating the illusion that the terrorist groups are providing protection for lives and property in the Lake Chad region.
“The MNJTF wishes to state categorically that the footage is intended to mislead and manipulate public opinion while concealing the horrific acts they have been committing against the innocent populace in the region.
“The MNJTF has documented numerous instances of forced displacement, brutal killings, kidnappings, and other heinous acts perpetrated by ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists, which have inflicted fear and suffering among the local communities. Contrary to the false portrayal of ‘peaceful coexistence,’ the MNJTF is actively engaged in stabilizing the area, providing genuine protection to civilians, and creating conditions conducive to sustainable peace and development,” it said.
It said the ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists, rather than acting as protectors, have devastated local economies by restricting freedom of movement and disrupting farming, fishing, and trade.
“In contrast, the MNJTF is actively collaborating with regional partners and national forces to stabilize the region, provide genuine civilian protection, and create conditions conducive to sustainable peace and development,” it said.
