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The Nigerian Army says it has recovered the bodies of all the soldiers killed during an attack on three military bases in Metele, Borno State, by Boko Haram terrorists.
The army stated this in its Facebook page on Tuesday.
The statement followed report by SaharaReporters that the bodies of the slain soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force are yet to be evacuated.
The statement titled “Press Release On Sahara Reporters’ Smear Campaign Against The Nigerian Army” reads:
The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has once again been drawn to another false publication by an online newspaper (Sahara Reporters), alleging that the bodies of our gallant soldiers and members of Civilian Joint Task Force who lost their lives in the unfortunate Metele Attack are yet to be evacuated.
The general public is to please note that the information is despicably false and a calculated attempt to spread fake news aimed at discrediting and undermining the NA in the discharge of its constitutional roles.
For the avoidance of doubt, immediately after the attack, reinforcement was sent to the location.
Thereafter, a special search and rescue team led by a senior military officer was constituted and equally despatched.
The team worked tirelessly, searching all the nooks and crannies of the general area and have evacuated all the gallant troops that paid the supreme price in defence of their fatherland.
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It is sad to note that in a bid to be seen as first to break news, some media houses have discarded the ethics of their noble profession through the hasty publication of unverified information.
The NA would once again reiterate the need for correct and balanced reportage especially when reporting issues regarding military operations.
Furthermore, all print and electronic (online) newspapers as well as social media forums and blogs are advised to double check their information before publishing.
This is because publishing false, sensational news is inimical to national security and could also cause panic, bitterness and disunity among the citizenry.”
The clarification came long after the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a Boko Haram splinter group, killed dozens of soldiers in Metele, a remote village near the border with the Niger Republic.
But the army regretted that some media houses “have discarded the ethics of their noble profession through the hasty publication of unverified information.”
It, however, urged media practitioners to ensure correct and balanced reportage, especially when reporting issues regarding military operations.
