By Harriet Tornguvan
The Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), has called on the media to exercise professionalism and responsibility in their reportage by avoiding the dissemination of terrorist propaganda capable of demoralising troops and giving undue publicity to criminal elements.
The minister made the call while addressing journalists after a strategic meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs to review ongoing operational strategies across various theatres of operation in the country.
According to Musa, responsible reporting is critical to national security, stressing that sensational coverage of terrorist activities could inadvertently serve the interests of criminal groups seeking attention and influence.
He assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces, in collaboration with other security agencies, are intensifying efforts to combat terrorism, banditry and other forms of insecurity threatening national stability.
While acknowledging that the military had suffered casualties in the line of duty, the minister noted that security forces had continued to inflict significant losses on terrorists and bandits. He disclosed that several commanders of the criminal groups had been eliminated and their operational assets destroyed in ongoing operations.
Musa reaffirmed the military’s commitment to defeating all threats to the nation’s peace and unity, urging citizens to support security agencies by providing credible information that could aid ongoing operations.
He emphasised that tackling insecurity requires collective effort, warning that individuals who provide information or logistical support to criminal groups would be treated as accomplices and dealt with accordingly.
The minister also reassured Nigerians that under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government remains committed to supporting the Armed Forces and other security agencies in their efforts to restore peace and security across the country.
Those present at the meeting included the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwah; the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oloyede; Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shuaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Idi Abbas; Chief of Air Staff, Sunday Aneke; and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Emmanuel Udieandeye.
