By Winnie Onu, Makurdi
The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Major General Moses Gara, has dismissed as false and misleading a media report claiming the Nigerian military had prior intelligence about the June 13 attack on Yelwata community in Benue State but failed to act.
Major General Gara was reacting to a report published by Sahara Reporters, which alleged that the military ignored a leaked memo from the Department of State Services (DSS) dated May 13, 2025, warning of the impending attack.
In a statement released Tuesday by OPWS Acting Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, the commander described the publication as “a dangerous form of cyberbullying” intended to discredit the military and erode public confidence in its operations.
“There is no evidence to show that such a memo was ever received at this Headquarters,” Gara stated. “If Sahara Reporters or any other party is in possession of such a document, they should produce proof that it was formally dispatched and received at OPWS Headquarters.”
He emphasised that intelligence reports and threat alerts are routinely received and treated with urgency as part of ongoing counter-insurgency operations. However, he explained that the unpredictable nature of asymmetric threats, especially where perpetrators disguise themselves among civilians, makes exact timing and locations of attacks difficult to determine.
Reiterating the military’s dedication to protecting lives and property in Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States, Gara urged the public to rely on verified information and refrain from spreading unsubstantiated claims that could incite fear or mistrust.
He also called on media organisations to uphold professionalism when reporting on national security issues.
“This kind of misleading publication does more harm than good. It demoralises our troops, misinforms the public, and emboldens criminal elements,” the Force Commander said.
