Benue Attack: Military describes Sahara report on intel as false

By Zainab Bakare

The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Major General Moses Gara, has dismissed” a report by Sahara Reporters alleging that the Nigerian military ignored prior intelligence on the June 13 attacks in Benue State.

Speaking at the OPWS Headquarters in Makurdi, General Gara described the publication as “a dangerous form of cyberbullying deliberately aimed at discrediting the military and undermining public confidence in its operations.”

According to a statement from the Acting Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, the Commander says the report, which was based on a purported leaked memo from the Department of State Services (DSS) dated May 13, 2025, had no basis.

“There is no evidence to show that such a memo was ever received at this Headquarters,” General Gara stated.

“If Sahara Reporters or any other party is in possession of such a document, they should produce proof that it was formally dispatched and received at Headquarters OPWS.”

He noted that intelligence alerts are routine in counter-insurgency efforts, but the “asymmetric nature of the threats,” especially the ability of criminals to blend into civilian populations, makes it difficult to predict the exact time and location of attacks.

The Commander reaffirmed the military’s commitment to protecting lives and property in Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States and urged the public to “rely on verified information” and not to spread “unsubstantiated reports that incite fear or mistrust.”

He also appealed to the media to uphold professionalism in national security reporting. “This kind of misleading publication does more harm than good. It demoralizes our troops, misinforms the public, and emboldens criminal elements,” he said.