Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa, has urged media organisations across the country to exercise professionalism and responsibility in their reporting by avoiding the dissemination of terrorist propaganda capable of demoralising troops and giving undue publicity to criminal groups.
The minister made the call on Wednesday 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.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Musa said the Armed Forces of Nigeria, working closely with other security agencies, were intensifying efforts to combat terrorism, banditry and other security threats affecting national stability.
According to him, although the military has suffered casualties in the line of duty, security forces have continued to record significant successes against armed groups.
“The 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 assets,” he said.
The minister reiterated the military’s determination to defeat all threats to the nation’s peace and unity, while urging citizens to support ongoing operations by providing credible intelligence to security agencies.
He warned that individuals who provide information, logistics or other forms of support to criminal groups would be treated as accomplices and dealt with in accordance with the law.
Musa also assured Nigerians that the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to providing the necessary support to the armed forces and other security agencies in their efforts to restore peace and stability 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.
