The Nigerian Army has told the media to refrain from promoting the activities of terrorists, insurgents and other deviant groups.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Abiodun Lagbaja, gave the advice during the Nigerian Army’s civil-military media chat for the first quarter of 2024, in Asaba, Delta State, on Wednesday.
The event, themed “Imperatives of Military-Media Partnership for the Attainment of National Security” condemned the actions of non-state actors aiming to undermine the security, welfare and overall prosperity of the country.
The Chief of Army Staff, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding 6 Division and land component commander of the Joint Taskforce South South operations (Delta Safe), Major General Jamal Abdussalam, said it is only through the collective efforts of all that “we can effectively combat insecurity and restore peace to our country.”
According to him, non-state actors thrive on attention and exploitation to instill fear in law-abiding citizens.
“The Nigerian Army is aware of the complexities and difficulties presented by the current security landscape in the nation. Consequently, the urgency to address security challenges has necessitated the re-strategising and rejigging of deployed troops to give the desired results, bearing in mind the uniqueness of the various theatres of operations.
“It is crucial to emphasise that the actions of non-state actors aiming to undermine the security, welfare, and overall prosperity of our country would be significantly diminished and most non-existent without the collaboration of certain unpatriotic and unscrupulous individuals within our society.
“In this regard, the unprovoked killing of some of our troops carrying out their constitutional assignments in Okuma Community of Delta State comes to mind. The dastardly act was executed in the most barbaric and cruel manner, which is unacceptable and condemnable.”
The army chief said there is a need to reaffirm commitments to strengthening the partnership between the Nigerian Army and the media.
“Let us recognise that in an increasingly complex and interconnected world, our collective security depends on our ability to work together effectively and harmoniously. Together, let us harness the power of communication to promote peace, unity, and resilience in the face of adversity.
“There is a need to build a society where the military and the media are united in their commitment to safeguarding our nation and upholding the values that define us as Nigerians,” he said.
In his welcome remark, the chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Major General Nosakhare Ugbo, noted the crucial roles of the media-military partnership, adding that as the media serves as a watchdog in society, the military has a responsibility to engage with the media by providing access to information without compromising operational security or sensitive intelligence.
He said it is imperative for the Nigerian Army to always keep the public abreast of the activities and progress of the army, adding that in today’s interconnected world, security threats can emerge from various sources, including disinformation campaigns.
The special guest of honour and the director general of Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Jubrin Baba Ndache, commended the Nigerian Army for its unwavering dedication to protecting our nation and enhancing military-media relations.
He reiterated that the dedication and professionalism of both the military and media are indispensable in their respective roles.
