Melete Boko Haram Killings: Body Of All Dead Soldiers Have Been Evacuated – Army

Army Debunks Fake News On Its Killed Troops

The Nigerian Army has refuted claims that bodies of soldiers and civilians killed by Boko Haram in the Metele attack were yet to be evacuated.

The military authorities made the clarification in reaction to reports in certain sections of the media that bodies of those killed by terrorists in the unfortunate attack were yet to be evacuated.

According to a post on its Facebook page on Tuesday, the Nigerian Army said immediately after the attack, reinforcement was sent to the location, and a rescue team led by a senior military officer was constituted and equally dispatched.

The statement further revealed that the body of all the troops and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force that died during the attack have been evacuated.

“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.”

“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 statement said.