FG Recovers Treasure Trove of Materials From Boko Haram, Calls For Vigilance

Following the recovery of a treasure trove of materials from the
decimated Boko Haram, the Federal Government has called on the media
and the general public to be vigilant, saying the decimated group has
shifted its strategy towards dominating the media space, propagating
a perverted version of Shariah law and giving the impression that it
is still holding territory.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Information
and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, therefore appealed to the general
public and the media to ensure that they do not unwittingly provide
the terrorists with the oxygen of publicity that they desperately
need.

He said the propaganda strategy was discovered from the materials left
behind by Boko Haram Terrorists after they were routed from their last
stronghold in Sambisa.

”The materials include documents, phones and computers that contained
detailed information on the Boko Haram media and propaganda strategy.
An analysis of the materials reveal Boko Haram’s training in
videography as well as how they sought and received training from
other terrorists groups on video recording and manipulation.

”The documents, written in Arabic, also outlined the media strategy
that Boko Haram Commanders should employ and how the surviving members
should ensure the propagation of the Boko Haram doctrine using the
Social Media,” Alhaji Mohammed said.

The Minister said the recovered materials confirmed the announcement
of a new media wing called ”Wadi Baya” (Clear Speech) by Boko Haram
in an audio released by the group on 17 Jan. 2017, following its
routing from Sambisa.

”As Boko Haram refocuses its resources to media war and propaganda
against the Nigerian people and state, we must all unite against
terrorism by denying Boko Haram our platforms to propagate its
ideology. Both the media and the citizens have important roles to play
in complementing our Armed Forces, which are combining land and air
resources to completely clear the vestiges of Boko Haram,” he said