The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), has called on the media across the country to be professional and responsible in their reportage and avoid dissemination of terrorist propaganda that is capable of demoralising troops and giving undue publicity to criminal elements.
The Minister made this call while addressing journalists after a strategic meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs , as they reviewed operational strategies across various theatres of operation in the country.
He assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces, in collaboration with other security agencies, are intensifying efforts to tackle terrorism, banditry and other forms of insecurity threatening national stability.
He declared that “the military has recorded some casualties in the line of duty, the security forces have continued to inflict significant losses on terrorists and bandits, including the elimination of several of their commanders and destruction of their assets.”
While pledging the military’s commitment to defeating all threats to peace and unity of the nation, Musa urged Nigerians to continue supporting the military and other security agencies by providing credible information that could aid ongoing operations.
He emphasised that addressing insecurity requires collective effort, saying that individuals who aid criminal groups with information or logistics would be treated as accomplices and dealt with accordingly.
He further reassured Nigerians that under the leadership of 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.
Present at the event were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oloyede; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, Chief of Naval staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Udieandeye.
