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In response to widespread speculation on social media, the Headquarters Theatre Command Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) has firmly denied reports of a French military base being set up in Maiduguri, Borno State, urging the public to disregard such unfounded rumors.
The allegations, originating from a post by social media activist Mahdi Shehu on his X (formerly Twitter) account, suggested the presence of a French military base in the area—a statement that has drawn significant attention online and an official rebuttal from authorities.
To substantiate his allegations, Shehu uploaded a video featuring Brigadier General Abubakar Haruna, Acting GOC of the 7th Division, interacting with a foreign military officer—a visual he claimed validated the existence of the controversial base.
The military, through a statement on Monday by Captain Reuben Kovangiya, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, strongly refuted the claim, maintaining that there is no French military base in Maiduguri and no intentions to introduce one anywhere in the North East.
The video cited by Shehu, according to the statement, was misinterpreted; it actually depicts Brigadier General Haruna engaging with members of the press, with the foreign officer in question identified as a member of the British Military Advisory Training Team (BMATT), not a French military official.
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The event was related to the donation of equipment to OPHK by BMATT on October 25, 2024, at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri.
The statement further clarified that the Nigerian military maintains a long-standing partnership with BMATT, which has provided training support and equipment to combat the threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the region.
The Army condemned Shehu’s claims as baseless, accusing him of deliberately spreading misinformation and manipulating public opinion to gain attention. The public was urged to disregard the falsehoods and focus on verified information.
