Yesterday a proof of life video showing the Chibok girls in healthy condition surfaced and has gone viral. The video which was said to be shot last year shows the girls alive and well giving hope to many of the parents.
The Nigerian Military however are wary of the video, branding it a piece of propaganda by the terrorists in a bid to derail or distract the ongoing rescue operations being carried out by the army.
The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brig-Gen. Rabe Abubakar (rtd), while responding to inquiries on Thursday, said that the military could not authenticate the new video.
He said “In as much as we saw the video, we cannot authenticate the video. Listen, all these things are campaign. In as much as we saw the so called video, it has nothing to do with our own activities, even though we are sympathetic to the plight of our sisters and brothers with the ungodly group.
“In as much as we have seen the video, it has not nothing to do with our operations. In this era of social media, anything can happen. It can be concocted, so people should not carried away.”
Brig-Gen Abubakar was insistent that they would not let any media propaganda distract them.
He continued: “The Nigeria Armed Forces would never give up for blackmail and mere media war. We remain focused in dealing with the matter at hand and will be steadfast in the course. The truth will come be in the nearest future, we are always hopeful through our unrelenting commitment to the protection of our country from any form of aggression.
“Our unified operations will go on and success is on our side. Terrorists by their nature rely on cheap publicity using social media to confuse those who don’t know their antics. In as much as we care for the rescue of the Chibok girls, which is our target we are equally not closing our eyes to the rescue of any person or persons in Boko Haram custody as we have been doing in recent times.”
According to him: “Over 10,000 persons have so far been rescued since the new leadership came on board in the military. And we shall continue he in that direction no matter the media reports.”
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