By Nkechi Eze
The Christopher Gwabin Musa, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, has urged media organisations across the country to exercise professionalism and responsibility in their reportage, warning against the dissemination of terrorist propaganda capable of demoralising troops and granting undue publicity to criminal groups.
In an official signed statement, Director, Press and Public relations Queenet Iheoma-Hart disclosed that the minister made the call while addressing journalists after a strategic meeting with the nation’s top military leadership to review operational strategies across various theatres of operation. The meeting brought together senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Defence and the leadership of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
According to him, responsible journalism remains crucial in the ongoing fight against terrorism, banditry and other security threats confronting the country. He cautioned that sensational reporting or the amplification of propaganda from criminal elements could undermine the morale of troops on the frontlines and inadvertently advance the agenda of terrorists.
“The military has recorded some casualties in the line of duty,” he said, noting however that security forces have continued to inflict significant losses on terrorist and bandit groups, including the elimination of several of their commanders and the destruction of their operational assets.
Musa assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces, working closely with other security agencies, are intensifying operations to dismantle terrorist networks and restore stability across the country. He stressed that defeating insecurity requires a collective national effort and called on citizens to support security forces by providing credible intelligence that could aid ongoing operations.
He also warned that individuals who provide logistical support or intelligence to criminal groups would be treated as accomplices and dealt with in accordance with the law.
The defence minister further reassured Nigerians that the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains fully committed to supporting the military and other security agencies in their efforts to restore peace and security nationwide.
Among those present at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwah; the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede; the Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu; the Chief of the Naval Staff, Idi Abbas; the Chief of the Air Staff, Sunday Aneke; and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Emmanuel Udieandeye.
