The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has urged TikTok to remove videos posted by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) claiming to offer “protection” to residents around the Lake Chad area.
The military said the videos, which have recently circulated online, present a misleading and dangerous narrative about the reality on the ground.
In a statement released on Saturday, the MNJTF criticized the ISWAP footage for spreading “false and misleading information.”
According to the military, ISWAP is attempting to distort the situation by showing images of farmers, herders, and fishermen who appear to speak positively of their interaction with ISWAP forces. MNJTF believes these videos attempt to create an illusion of cooperation between ISWAP and the residents, concealing the terror group’s violent and exploitative tactics in the region.
The MNJTF clarified that despite ISWAP’s claims, the situation in Lake Chad has been marked by years of suffering for the local communities. According to the military, the actions of ISWAP and Boko Haram have led to widespread displacement, kidnappings, and violence. The MNJTF reported that in the past year, their forces have made significant progress in stabilizing the region and have successfully helped return more than 30,000 refugees and internally displaced people to their homes.
Highlighting the dangers of ISWAP’s recent content on TikTok, MNJTF stated that such content could be used to manipulate public opinion and recruit followers. The military appealed to TikTok and other social media companies to take a stronger stance in monitoring and removing content that promotes violence and extremism.
“Additionally, the ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists rather than acting as protectors, have devastated local economies by restricting freedom of movement and disrupting farming, fishing and trade. In contrast, the MNJTF is actively collaborating with regional partners and national forces to stabilize the region, provide genuine civilian protection, and create conditions conducive to sustainable peace and development. This mission is not merely a duty but a solemn promise to the people the MNJTF is committed to safeguarding.
“Over the past year, MNJTF has recorded significant progress. Notably, more than 30,000 refugees and internally displaced persons have been successfully repatriated to their communities. These included restoring normalcy in places like Kirawa, Banki, Cross Kukawa, Baga, and other smaller communities.
“Furthermore, significant efforts have been made to support IDPs in Baraou in Niger, Amchide in Cameroon, and Bagatolorom as well as Litri in Chad, focusing on their well-being and livelihoods. Worthy of mention is the reopening of key international commercial routes such as N’Djamena (Chad) – Kousseri (Cameroon) to Gamboru – Dikwa – Maiduguri (Nigeria) which has contributed to regional stability by enabling the free movement of goods and people.
“It is also worthy of note that the recently concluded Operation LAKE SANITY 2, resulted in the neutralization of numerous Boko Haram terrorist combatants, the successful rescue of several hostages and the capture of arms and ammunition. Our collaborative efforts with national operations in Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad have been instrumental in combating terrorism in the region.
“The MNJTF remains unwavering in its commitment to ensuring the peace, unity, and security of all communities within the Lake Chad Basin. We urge social media platforms, such as TikTok, to diligently monitor and remove contents that promote violence and radicalisation,” the statement partly read.
