Nigerian Army assassinates 9 Boko Haram social media propagandists: Official

The Nigerian Army has confirmed on Monday, June 10 that it gunned down nine social media personalities of Boko Haram.

The Nigerian Army released a statement to make the announcement but did not disclose where and when the operation leading to the deaths of the social media personalities took place. “The annihilation of members of the Boko Haram media team further confirmed that the Nigerian Army has decimated the group and they no longer have freedom of action,” Colonel Sagir Musa, the Nigerian Army’s spokesperson said in a statement, Xinhua noted.

Boko Haram, which launched attacks in Nigeria's northeast a decade ago is also known for its online media propaganda at the same time amid quest to maintain a virtual caliphate. The group launched its media strategy starting with a very traditional media approach through propaganda films mostly aimed at recruiting new fighters.

The names of the social media personalities are Abu Musa al-Camerooni, Abu Khubayb bin Ahmed al-Barnawi, Abu Hurayra al-Barnawi, Abu Musab Muhammed Mustafa al-Maiduguri, Ahmed al-Muhajir, Ali al-Ghalam al-Kajiri, Abu Abdullah Ali al-Barnawi, Abu al-Qa’qa’ al-Maiduguri and Ahmed al-Muhajir. “The terrorist group is known for its online media propaganda and quest to maintain a virtual caliphate,” Musa added.

Boko Haram started using the media for its social campaigning in 2009. It has the intention of recruiting new fighters from Nigeria and neighbouring African countries including Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

In 2014, Boko Haram changed its strategy into effective use of social media platforms, creating multiple accounts to strengthen its outreach and using videos and photos to drive home its agenda.

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