Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said having been degraded, Boko Haram’s new strategy is to dominate the media by propagating lies.
The minister said this in a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Segun Adeyemi, yesterday.
“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,” adding that “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.
Mohammed also appealed to Nigerians and the media to ensure that they do not “unwittingly provide the terrorists with the oxygen of publicity that they desperately need.”
The minister said the propaganda strategy was discovered from the material left behind by the insurgents after they were routed from their stronghold in Sambisa.
“The materials include documents, mobile phones and computers which contained detailed information on Boko Haram’s media and propaganda strategy.
“An analysis of the materials revealed 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 Boko Haram doctrine using social media.”
The minister also added that “the recovered material confirmed the announcement of a new media wing called ‘Wadi Baya’ (Clear Speech) by Boko Haram in an audio released by the group on January 17, 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.
“The media and 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.”