COMMANDER OPERATION WHIRL STROKE DEBUNKS AN ONLINE REPORTS, URGES PUBLIC TO SHUN THE MISINFORMATION

The Force Commander Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Major General Moses Gara, has debunked a recent Report purportedly filed by Sahara Reporters alleging that the Nigerian military had prior intelligence on the 13 June 2025 attacks in Benue State but failed to act.

Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters, Joint Task Force, JTF, Operation Whirl Stroke, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, in a Statement says the Commander described the publication as false, misleading, and a dangerous form of cyberbullying, aimed at discrediting the military and undermining public confidence in its operations.

This was disclosed while the Commander addressed journalists at the OPWS Headquarters in Makurdi.

Major General Gara condemns the report as lacking both credible evidence and professional scrutiny.

He notes that the allegation based on a purported leaked memo from the Department of State Services (DSS) dated 13 May 2025 was unfounded, emphasizing that there is no record of such a memo being received at the OPWS Headquarters.

He explains that threat alerts and intelligence reports are a routine part of counter-insurgency operations, and each is treated with urgency and strategic evaluation.

The Commander, however notes that due to the asymmetric nature of the threat particularly the ability of criminal elements to blend seamlessly with civilian populations the timing and location of attacks remain difficult to predict.

Major General Gara reaffirms the Nigerian military’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across its area of responsibility, including Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States.

He urges members of the public to rely on verified information and to avoid circulating unsubstantiated reports that could incite fear or foster mistrust.