The Nigerian Army on Friday released a statement claiming to have delivered a heavy blow to ISWAP senior commander Bukar Gana Fitcherman and many of his fighters at Damasak.

In the release published across its social media platforms, the military described its well co-ordinated attacks and neutralization of “12 high value ISWAP commanders in Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State”.

The press release signed off by Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, the Director Army Public Relations, also gave an account of how air strikes and military bombardments were used on ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists.

“The deadly air strikes conducted on Tudun Wulgo, Zari and Tumbun Alhaji, Kusuma, Sigir in Ngala and Arijallamari, in Abadam, Marte and Ngala Local government Areas, led to the killing of top ISWAP Leaders,” read a part of the statement, accompanied by image from the supposed victory scenes.

“The Commanders that perished in the airstrikes included; Mohammad Fulloja , Ameer Mallam Bello, Ba’a kaka Tunkushe, Abu Muktar Al -Ansari, Ameer Abba Kaka, Abu Huzaifa, Ameer Modu Kwayem, while Goni Mustapha who was the Chief Imam of the ISWAP escaped with bullet wounds.

“Troops’ artillery bombardment and air strikes on April 6 also resulted to the elimination of two top ISWAP leaders including Abu-Rabi and Muhammed Likita as well as scores of their troops and body guards around the axis of Kusuma, Sigir in Ngala and Arijallamari in Abadam Local Government Areas.”

This acclaimed victory was however short-lived when it was pointed out that the images were first posted back in March. The pictures which were watermarked showed that they were a month old. This has brought added scepticism to the fight against Boko Haram and the genuineness of the Nigerian Army in the victory it claims.

The Nigerian Army, which has been in recent times involved in labelling any criticism as fake news, now finds itself at the end of the stick as it hasn’t provided proof of the supposed Damasak conquest.