Former Nigerian Army spokesman Brigadier General Sani Usman (retd.) has described the fight against Boko Haram's propaganda as the military's toughest battle. Speaking at an event in Abuja, he highlighted the dual wars of physical combat and information warfare. The insurgents' credible threats and social media dominance eroded public trust in 2014.
Brigadier General Sani Usman (retd.), who served as the Nigerian Army's spokesman, shared insights into the challenges of combating Boko Haram during a speech on Saturday at the 35th anniversary event of the Federal Capital Territory chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in Abuja.
Usman explained that the military faced two simultaneous conflicts: a physical war against insurgents and an information war against their digital propaganda. He recalled 2014 as a particularly difficult year, when Boko Haram's threats appeared more reliable than official statements, leaving many Nigerians uncertain about whom to trust. "We were in the middle of an information war that tested our credibility, speed, and strategic communication under pressure," Usman said. "Again, we fought two wars simultaneously. One was a physical war against insurgents on the ground and the other, an information war against their digital propaganda and global misinformation network."
The insurgents, led by Abubakar Shekau, gained international notoriety following the 2014 abduction of nearly 300 schoolgirls in Chibok. Usman noted that Boko Haram exploited social media platforms, particularly YouTube, to recruit followers, instill fear, and shape narratives. "They were all over social media platforms, particularly YouTube, where they exploited the Internet and emerging technologies to shape narratives, build followers, whip up sentiments, and, in fact, instil fear in Nigerians," he stated. Merely mentioning the group or its leader could endanger individuals.
To counter this, the military overhauled its communication strategy, adopting a proactive doctrine focused on transparency and narrative control. Shekau reportedly killed himself in 2021, allowing the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) to emerge as the dominant faction. Now in its 15th year, the insurgency has caused countless deaths and displaced more than two million people across the Lake Chad basin, with ongoing clashes between rival groups.
NIPR FCT chapter chairman Stanley Ogadigo praised the institute's 35 years of promoting professional ethics among public relations practitioners.