Nigerian Army Accuses IPOB of Ethnicity-Driven Propaganda Over Viral IED Images
Abuja — The Nigerian Army has accused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its supporters of spreading ethnicity-driven propaganda aimed at discrediting military operations in Nigeria’s South-East.
The allegation was contained in a statement issued by Olabisi Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 82 Division, while responding to viral social media claims that photographs of recovered improvised explosive devices (IEDs) circulated by the military were fabricated.
According to the army spokesperson, the images were originally released with a press statement on Thursday to show explosive devices recovered during Operation Eastern Sanity, a security operation conducted simultaneously in parts of Imo State and Anambra State.
He explained that the explosives were discovered in the Orsu–Eketutu Mother Valley and Orsu–Ihiteukwa areas of Imo State during ongoing security operations under Operation UDO KA.
Army Explains Blurred Image Metadata
Mr Ayeni said the geolocation details attached to the photographs were deliberately blurred for operational security reasons, noting that the measure was taken to protect ongoing military activities and personnel in the area.
He alleged that supporters of IPOB manipulated the blurred metadata and circulated altered versions online to falsely claim the images originated from locations in Lagos State and Oyo State.
According to him, the misleading posts were widely shared across social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, by accounts linked to IPOB sympathisers.
Army Condemns Ethnic Narratives
The army further accused the group of attempting to shift attention from the facts of the operation by focusing on the ethnic identity of a serving military officer featured in the statement rather than addressing the evidence presented.
Mr Ayeni said the emphasis on ethnicity was part of a broader attempt to create division, undermine ongoing military operations, and weaken national unity.
He added that Nigerian troops have dismantled several camps, hideouts and IED-manufacturing sites allegedly linked to IPOB and its armed wing in recent operations in the South-East.
The army also announced that the headquarters of Operation UDO KA has invited journalists, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to visit the operational areas to independently verify the recovered explosive devices and ongoing security operations.