January 19, 2026 — Dalena Reporters
Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigerian Army has dismissed a soldier in a disciplinary action that has reignited debates over military transparency and internal information control, following allegations that the service member leaked video footage from the aftermath of a deadly Boko Haram improvised explosive device (IED) attack in Borno State. The dismissal comes amid ongoing operations against insurgent groups in the northeast and growing public scrutiny of military conduct.
Military sources speaking to Dalena Reporters said Private Mansur Adamu, service number 22NA/82/3795 PTE, was dismissed from service for allegedly leaking video content that captured the immediate aftermath of a recent IED explosion that killed several soldiers near Gubio, a flashpoint district in Borno State. A photograph published alongside the report showed the dismissed soldier holding a placard confirming the action.
The incident that triggered the punitive measure occurred about two weeks ago, when a vehicle carrying Nigerian soldiers struck an IED planted by Boko Haram insurgents along a route outside Gubio, according to military sources. Initial reports indicated that at least nine soldiers were killed with several others seriously injured in the blast.
The Nigerian Army has historically taken a strict stance against unauthorised internal disclosures, asserting that operational security is critical in counter-insurgency engagements. In a statement cited by Sahara Reporters, a senior military source explained that internal recordings and unsanctioned video circulation are regarded as breaches of military confidentiality that could compromise ongoing operations and troop safety.
However, critics argue the dismissal raises important questions about transparency and morale within the armed forces, particularly in the context of persistent insecurity and attacks by Boko Haram and affiliated insurgent factions. Ongoing military operations in Borno are part of Nigeria’s broader counter-terrorism campaign in the northeast, where the insurgency has persisted for over a decade, causing tens of thousands of deaths and mass displacement.
Some analysts contend that soldiers on the frontlines may feel compelled to document battlefield realities to draw attention to operational conditions, equipment shortfalls or battlefield losses — sentiments that have surfaced in past disputes over morale and resources. The recent dismissal — while framed as a matter of internal discipline — may amplify lingering debates over how the military balances operational security with accountability to the public and families of fallen troops.
Public reaction has been mixed. Some commentators have backed the army’s hard line on internal leaks, arguing that maintaining tight control over operational information is essential to forestall exploitation by insurgent groups. Others have criticised the move as punitive and potentially suppressive of legitimate reporting from within the ranks, particularly at a time when Nigerians demand clearer communication about the human costs of the conflict.
This dismissal follows the deadly IED attack near Gubio, an area that has seen repeated violence as part of the Boko Haram insurgency’s long-running campaign in northeastern Nigeria. The attack underscored the ongoing threat posed by improvised explosive devices, which have become a staple tactic of militants seeking to inflict casualties on Nigerian security forces.
As Nigeria intensifies its fight against Boko Haram and related factions, the balance between operational secrecy and public accountability within the military will likely remain a contentious issue — particularly as families of fallen soldiers and civil society organisations demand greater transparency over battlefield outcomes and troop welfare.