Moses Gara, Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), has strongly denied claims that the Nigerian military received prior intelligence but failed to act on the deadly June 13, 2025, attacks in Benue State.
Reacting to a recent report, the Commander described the allegations as entirely false and dangerously misleading.
The report had alleged that the military ignored a memo from the Department of State Services (DSS) warning of impending attacks, a claim Gara firmly refuted during a media briefing at the OPWS Headquarters in Makurdi.
In a statement signed by Ahmad Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer for HQ JTF Operation Whirl Stroke, Gara labelled the publication as a reckless form of cyberbullying, aimed at discrediting the armed forces and eroding public trust in their operations.
He criticised the report for lacking credible evidence and professional diligence, asserting that no such DSS memo dated May 13, 2025, was ever received by the OPWS Headquarters.
鈥淭here is no evidence to show that such a memo was ever received at this Headquarters.
If any other party has such a document, they should produce proof that it was formally dispatched and received,鈥 he stated.
The Commander further explained that intelligence gathering and threat alerts are routine aspects of counterinsurgency operations.
He noted that every piece of intelligence is subjected to serious scrutiny and strategic planning.
However, he emphasised the challenges posed by the asymmetric nature of security threats, particularly in rural communities where criminal elements often blend into the civilian population, making it difficult to determine the timing and location of planned attacks.
Reaffirming the military鈥檚 dedication to securing lives and property across its operational areas, including Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States, Gara urged the public to rely on verified information rather than inflammatory and unverified media reports that could stir panic and distrust.
He also appealed to media organisations to adhere to ethical standards, especially when reporting on sensitive national security matters.
鈥淭his kind of misleading publication does more harm than good. It demoralises our troops, misinforms the public, and emboldens criminal elements,鈥 he said.