By Bavoriat Clara
The Honourable Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has called on media organisations across the country 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 operational strategies across various theatres of operation in the country.
In a statement issued on behalf of the Director of Press and Public Relations by Queenet Iheoma-Hart, the Minister 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.
He disclosed that although the military has recorded casualties in the line of duty, security forces have continued to inflict significant losses on terrorists and bandits, including the elimination of several of their commanders and the destruction of their operational assets.
General Musa reiterated the military’s commitment to defeating all threats to the nation’s peace and unity, urging Nigerians to support the Armed Forces and other security agencies by providing credible intelligence that could aid ongoing operations. He emphasised that addressing insecurity requires a collective national effort, warning that individuals who provide information or logistics to criminal groups would be treated as accomplices and dealt with accordingly.
The Minister further reassured citizens 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, Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwah; the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oloyede; the Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shuaibu; the Chief of Naval Staff, Idi Abbas; the Chief of the Air Staff, Sunday Aneke; and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Emmanuel Udieandeye.
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