Army Counters IPOB Propaganda, Invites Media To Tour ‘Mother Valley’ Operations

The Nigerian Army has dismissed viral social media claims that images of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) recovered during security operations in the south-east were fabricated, inviting journalists and civil society groups to visit the operational areas to verify the discoveries.

In a statement on March 15, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, acting deputy director of army public relations for the 82 Division Nigerian Army, said the military had taken note of posts alleging that photographs released on March 12 showing recovered explosives from operations in Imo State were fake or manipulated.

Ayeni said the devices were recovered during ongoing operations conducted simultaneously in Imo State and Anambra State targeting camps and bomb-making facilities linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network.

“The attention of Headquarters, OPERATION UDO KA and 82 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to social media viral posts alleging that the images published on 12 March 2026 showing recovered Improvised Explosive Devices from Orsu-Eketutu Mother Valley and Orsu–Ihiteukwa in Imo State were fake and manipulated,” the statement said.

The army explained that geolocation details on the images were deliberately blurred for security reasons.

“For the records, the devices in the images released were recovered during ongoing operations conducted simultaneously in Imo and Anambra states,” Ayeni said, adding that “the geo location on the pictures were blurred for operational security reasons and not for any ulterior motives.”

He said troops had dismantled several camps, hideouts and IED-making factories in the “Mother Valley” general area.
“It is not a gainsaying that troops have completely dislodged many camps, hideouts and IED making factories belonging to IPOB and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network,” he said.

The army also accused IPOB sympathisers of manipulating metadata attached to the photographs to falsely suggest the images originated from Lagos State and Oyo State.

“IPOB’s teams of fake news merchants have manipulated the metadata of the images released… imposing another geo-location reading Lagos and Oyo states,” he accused.

To address the controversy, the army invited journalists and civil society organisations to tour the areas and inspect the recovered materials.

“In order to disarm IPOB propaganda and build bridges, Headquarters OPERATION UDO KA invites media executives, correspondents and civil society groups genuinely concerned about the authenticity of these recoveries to come forward for verification,” the Army requested.

The spokesman added that interested organisations could contact the public relations unit of the 82 Division to arrange an inspection tour that would not compromise ongoing operations or personnel safety.

“The Nigerian Army remains an apolitical, professional and multi-ethnic institution,” he said, urging Nigerians to verify information from official channels before sharing claims online.