The Federal Government yesterday urged the citizenry to be vigilant as Boko Haram gears up to move its battle against the Nigeria state in a media war.
In a statement yesterday, Minister of Information Alhaji Lai Mohammed explained that the group was out to spread perverted version of Shariah law and give the impression it was still holding territory.
The minister, therefore, urged the public and the media to ensure that they did not unwittingly provide the terrorists the oxygen of publicity they desperately need.
The statement reads: “Following the recovery of a treasure trove of materials from the decimated Boko Haram, the Federal Government has called on the media and the public to be vigilant, saying the decimated group has shifted its strategy towards dominating the media space, propagating a perverted version of Shariah law and giving the impression that it is still holding territory.”
The minister said the propaganda strategy was discovered from materials left behind by Boko Haram terrorists after they were routed from their last stronghold in Sambisa.
‘’The materials include documents, phones and computers that contained detailed information on the Boko Haram media and propaganda strategy.
“An analysis of the materials reveal Boko Haram’s training in videography as well as how they sought and received training from other terrorists groups on video recording and manipulation.
‘’The documents, written in Arabic, also outlined the media strategy that Boko Haram commanders should employ and how the surviving members should ensure the propagation of the sect’s doctrine using the Social Media,’’ Mohammed said.
The minister said the recovered materials confirmed the announcement of a new media wing called ‘’Wadi Baya’’ (Clear Speech) by Boko Haram in an audio released by the group on January 17, following its routing from Sambisa.
‘’As Boko Haram refocuses its resources to media war and propaganda against the Nigerian people and state, we must all unite against terrorism by denying Boko Haram our platforms to propagate its ideology. Both the media and the citizens have important roles to play in complementing our Armed Forces, which are combining land and air resources to completely clear the vestiges of Boko Haram,’’ he said.
