Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Major General Godwin Mutkut, Commander of the Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, issued a stark warning on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, that the persistent glorification of terrorists and the spread of their propaganda on social media is not just distasteful but a direct threat to Nigeria's national security that could fatally undermine the fight against insurgency. Addressing defence correspondents in Kaduna, the senior officer called for an immediate halt to the culture of online vilification, insisting that citizens’ support is as crucial as firepower in the battle to end the country’s protracted crises.
General Mutkut argued that while Nigeria’s democracy should welcome constructive criticism, there is a dangerous line that is being crossed when the nation’s soldiers are attacked from the comfort of homes while they are being killed in the bush. “While constructive criticism was necessary in any democracy, persistent attacks on the military and the promotion of terrorist propaganda on social media and other platforms were counterproductive and capable of undermining national security efforts,” he said, as quoted by the counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama.
The army commander delivered a sobering reminder of the human cost of the conflict, emphasizing that the primary targets of public demoralisation are the very men who serve on the front lines. He noted that infantry soldiers bear the brunt of combat operations, as they are the ones who look the enemy “eyeball to eyeball.” Explaining the specific role of his corps, he said, “We are the main force that sees the enemy eyeball to eyeball. When people talk about casualties, most times they are referring to infantry soldiers because they are at the forefront of combat operations.” However, he stressed that every soldier, whether in artillery or communications, wears the same uniform and remains a combatant dedicated to the defence of the nation.
General Mutkut expressed deep concern over a societal trend where the armed forces are vilified while the true architects of violence receive sympathy. According to him, soldiers have paid the ultimate price, with many families left shattered, yet some citizens criticise troops for tactical and operational shortcomings while knowing little about the harsh realities of asymmetric warfare. He warned that such actions are not victimless; they severely impact troop morale and send an inadvertent message of encouragement to the insurgents they are fighting. “Many people sit in the comfort of their rooms and criticise soldiers who are risking their lives daily to protect communities and defend the country. When people constantly attack the military without understanding the realities on the ground, it can send the wrong signal and inadvertently encourage those who seek to destabilise the country,” he stated.
The Commander of the Infantry Corps also dismissed allegations that the military is fractured by ethnic or religious sentiments as false and deliberately misleading. He maintained that the Nigerian Army remains one of the country's strongest symbols of national integration and that the only colour that matters is the green of the uniform.
He highlighted the heavy toll of the conflict, referencing the military cemetery in Maiduguri as a grim testament to the price of liberty. “Anyone who has visited the military cemetery in Maiduguri will understand the magnitude of sacrifice being made by our soldiers. Many of our personnel have paid the supreme price. Others have sustained life-changing injuries, while many continue to battle psychological and emotional trauma resulting from years of combat operations.” Yet, despite this, General Mutkut asserted that the troops remain resilient. He acknowledged that Nigeria has lived with insecurity for a long time, but insisted that the military is more determined than ever.
However, General Mutkut stated unequivocally that the military cannot win this war alone. He argued that while the Armed Forces can kill terrorists and destroy camps, lasting peace requires a collective societal effort to reject the extremist ideologies that fuel the conflict. “The message I have for Nigerians is simple: support your soldiers. Assist them in this fight. We cannot win this battle through military action alone; we need the support, understanding and cooperation of citizens,” he appealed. He also used the platform to call on citizens to redirect their anger and condemnation away from the military and towards the terrorists themselves.
The statement from General Mutkut comes at a critical juncture, as the Nigerian military marks a major victory with the recent elimination of hundreds of ISIS fighters in the Northeast, including the terrorist group’s global second-in-command. The week has also seen heavy fighting in communities in Kogi and Katsina states. Analysts see the Commander’s remarks as part of a strategic move to consolidate public support, ensuring that while kinetic operations degrade the insurgents’ combat power, the ideological war is not lost on the digital battlefield of social media.
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