The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, has solicited the cooperation of the media to help the military in its operations.
General Lagbaja canvassed the support in his keynote address delivered in Makurdi during the media chat third quarter 2024.
COAS, who spoke on the theme of media chat, ‘The Media and the Military: Allies in Pursuit of National Security, General Lagbaja described
the media a crucial link between the military and the public to ensuring accountability and fostering mutual trust.
Represented by Commander 4 Special Force Command, Major General Hilary Nzan, COAS said that despite the significant progress made in improving communication and media engagement, ‘challenges persist, and forums like this help address some of these challenges in the relationship.’
According to him, “To foster effective collaboration between the Nigerian Army and the media, it is vital to encourage open dialogue and mutual respect.
“We must establish regular communication channels to facilitate transparent reporting on military operations and timely dissemination of information, countering disinformation and misinformation while building public confidence.
General Lagbaja charged media practitioners to uphold responsibility, accuracy, and fairness in reporting on the Nigerian Army’s activities, balancing national security interests with the public’s right to information.
He said, “It is also crucial to avoid spreading misinformation or inflammatory content that could undermine national unity and security.
” I must emphasise that such content can be easily created with manipulative technological tools; hence, media practitioners are urged to verify information before disseminating it to the public.
Speaking on the achievements of the military in combating insecurity in the country, General Lagbaja
said that troops have neutralised several terrorists and their leaders and also rescued some abducted Nigerians.
He said, “The Nigerian Army has intensified operations across various regions with tailored strategies to address the unique security threats in each region. I am pleased to report significant successes in these efforts across multiple theatres.
“These include the neutralisation of several terrorists and their leaders, the rescue of some abducted Nigerians, and the restoration of socio-economic activities in affected communities, leading to the return of internally displaced persons to their ancestral homes.
“Our efforts have also significantly boosted crude oil production while enhancing food security through special patrols and escort duties that enable farmers to cultivate their crops.
“In response to recent human-made and natural disasters in parts of the country, we activated our emergency response capabilities. We leveraged our unique competencies, as demonstrated in the recent flood incident in Maiduguri.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Major Gen. NC UGBO, said that military collaboration and cooperation with the media were crucial for enhanced civil-military cooperation towards advancing our collective security.
“The conduct of the Nigerian Army’s non-kinetic line of operations is geared towards securing the support and cooperation of the civil populace as we carry out our constitutional responsibilities,” he said.
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