The Nigerian Army has accused the separatist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of spreading propaganda to discredit ongoing military operations in the South-East.
Army spokesman Olabisi Ayeni made the allegation in a statement on Sunday, reacting to trending images online which purportedly showed improvised explosive devices (IEDs) recovered in operations in the South West, but credited to IPOB in the South East.
Ayeni explained that the photographs, released on Thursday, showed IEDs seized during Operation Eastern Sanity in Imo and Anambra States.
He said the explosives were recovered from Orsu–Eketutu Mother Valley and Orsu–Ihiteukwa in Imo under Operation UDO KA.
Army Denies Manipulation Allegations
According to Ayeni, geo-location details on the images were deliberately blurred for operational security.
He, in turn, alleged that IPOB sympathisers manipulated the metadata and circulated altered versions online, falsely suggesting the pictures came from Lagos and Oyo States.
“The devices in the images were recovered during the ongoing operations in the operational areas, as earlier stated,” he clarified.
Ayeni added that IPOB-linked accounts on X and Facebook spread the misinformation.
He accused the group of focusing on the ethnic identity of a serving officer instead of addressing facts about the operation. He said this tactic was meant to sow division and weaken national unity.
“Troops have dislodged several camps, hideouts and IED-making factories belonging to IPOB and its armed wing. Having lost operational assets and capacity to terrorise residents, they have now resorted to propaganda, fake news and divisive narratives,” Ayeni stated.
Verification Tour Planned
To further buttress its claims, he said the headquarters of Operation UDO KA has invited media organisations, civil society groups, and stakeholders for a verification tour, but did not indicate a date.
Ayeni said the inspection would allow independent observers to confirm recovery locations and view seized materials without compromising security.
He reaffirmed that the Nigerian Army remains professional, apolitical, and multi-ethnic, with personnel serving across the country regardless of origin.
Meanwhile, army critics online alleged that the blurred metadata was an attempt by the military to hide that the original images were taken during operations in the South-West.
They accused the army of spreading disinformation to discredit IPOB as violent, while the group insists its agitation for separation is legitimate.
IPOB continues to operate internationally but is designated as a terrorist organisation in Nigeria.
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