The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has called on social media companies, particularly TikTok, to actively monitor and remove content that promotes violence and radicalization.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the MNJTF reported significant achievements over the past year in combating insurgency, which have allowed more than 30,000 refugees and displaced people to return to their communities.
The statement was a response to recent footage released by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on TikTok, falsely claiming to protect communities in the Lake Chad region.
The MNJTF criticized the TikTok video, circulated on the account “Albanarwy 1446,” for presenting a “false and misleading narrative” that depicts ISWAP and Boko Haram as protectors of the region’s people.
According to the MNJTF, the video falsely suggests a harmonious relationship between the local communities and the terrorist groups, masking the reality of violence inflicted on innocent civilians.
The footage features farmers, herders, and fishermen speaking in Hausa, promoting a narrative of peaceful coexistence with ISWAP and Boko Haram.
However, the MNJTF stressed that this portrayal is deceptive, noting that the terrorist groups have committed numerous violent acts, including forced displacement, kidnappings, and killings, instilling fear among local residents.
MNJTF officials stated that instead of providing protection, ISWAP and Boko Haram have damaged local economies by restricting movement and disrupting farming, fishing, and trade activities.
Contrasting with these claims, the MNJTF reported its continued efforts to restore stability, including repatriating over 30,000 refugees and internally displaced persons to areas like Kirawa, Banki, Cross Kukawa, and Baga.
The task force also provides support to displaced people in areas across Niger, Cameroon, and Chad.
Key trade routes, such as N’Djamena in Chad to Maiduguri in Nigeria, have been reopened to allow the free movement of goods and people, supporting economic growth in the region.
The MNJTF also highlighted the success of “Operation Lake Sanity 2,” which resulted in neutralizing Boko Haram combatants, rescuing hostages, and seizing weapons.
This operation, supported by forces from Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad, marks a strong step in the region’s fight against terrorism.
Reaffirming its commitment to the peace and security of the Lake Chad Basin communities, the MNJTF emphasized its dedication to ensuring civilian safety and urged social media platforms to play a proactive role in removing content that spreads radicalization and misinformation.
