By Seun Ibukun-Oni
The Headquarters Theatre Command, Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has categorically debunked claims circulating on social media regarding the alleged establishment of a French military base in Maiduguri.
The clarification comes in response to a misleading post by social media activist Mahdi Shehu on his X handle, where he falsely suggested the presence of a French military base and misrepresented a video involving Nigerian and foreign military personnel.
In a statement signed by Captain Reuben Kovangiya, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the Theatre Command, the Nigerian Army dismissed the claims as "baseless, deceptive, and a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation."
The viral video, which Mahdi Shehu used to support his assertion, was clarified as depicting an entirely different event. According to the statement, the footage showed the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, Brigadier General Abubakar Haruna, addressing the press alongside a member of the British Military Advisory Training Team (BMATT). This event took place on October 25, 2024, at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri during the handover of equipment donated by BMATT to Operation HADIN KAI. The equipment was formally received by the Theatre Commander, Major General Waidi Shaibu.
Nigerian-British Military Partnership
The statement emphasized the longstanding cooperation between the Nigerian Defence Headquarters and BMATT, a partnership that has significantly enhanced military operations in the North East. Through this collaboration, the Nigerian military has benefited from various initiatives, including training programs and the provision of Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) equipment to combat insurgency and safeguard lives.
The Army condemned Mahdi Shehu's allegations, labeling them as "driven by malicious intent" and designed to mislead the public while inciting unnecessary agitation.
The Theatre Command urged members of the public to disregard the false narrative and rely solely on verified information from credible and official sources.
"We categorically state that there is no French military base in Maiduguri, nor are there any plans to establish one in the North East Theatre of Operation," the statement reiterated.
The Command further stressed its commitment to transparency and ongoing efforts to enhance military operations in the fight against insurgency in the region.
This clarification serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by misinformation, especially on sensitive national security matters, and highlights the need for the public to verify facts before sharing unconfirmed reports.
For accurate and updated information regarding military operations, the public is encouraged to rely on official statements from the Nigerian Army or the Defence Headquarters.
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