The Chief Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh lamented yesterday that there were too many “fifth columnists” in the armed forces, and this has been responsible for some conflicting information emanating from the military.
Speaking at the opening of the Security/Media Relations in Crisis Management seminar organised by the office of the National Security Adviser, he said some officers in the past gave information that turned out to be false.
Speaking at the opening of the Security/Media Relations in Crisis Management seminar organised by the office of the National Security Adviser, he said some officers in the past gave information that turned out to be false.
Referring to some information that was released to the media in the wake of the abduction of the Chibok girls last May, he said, “If your people are misleading you, what do you do? There are too many fifth columnists in the military. There was a report which said we have seen some of the Chibok girls, only eight are missing, it was a very senior officer that gave that information from Chibok area. That was when people started saying henceforth, watch what Maj.-Gen. Olukolade, Director, Defence Information says. But he was misled by one of us. Anyway, we are dealing with that situation ”, Badeh said.
Badeh also argued that what is happening in Nigerian with regards to Boko Haram terrorism is not different from what ISIS terrorist group is doing in Syria and Iraq, noting that it was therefore unfortunate the Nigerian military in spite of taking the battle to the terrorists all alone, was still receiving bashing from the citizens.
“What is happening in Nigeria with Boko Haram being so vicious and violent is not different with what ISIS is doing in Syria and other places; but all the world powers have gone there at different times to bomb Iraq and Syria, but none in Nigeria. The Nigerian military is all alone dealing with the issue.
“The military has taken a lot of bashing from everywhere but all of us know what we are going through. Somebody rightly said that what is happening with Boko Haram is a declaration of war. I want to say that when nations go to war, all elements of National power including the media join hands to fight the war together”.
“The military is not omnipotent, the military is not omnipresent; are you expecting the military to go and drop a bomb that cost $15, 000 on two people. Let us not give the enemies of Nigeria the chance to make Nigeria become what people (enemies) wanted. We can do this by providing accurate information,” he said.
Badeh said the attitude of some Nigerians towards the war on terror suggest that they are against genuine intentions of the military to flush out the terrorists and this gives the impression that they sympathise with Boko Haram insurgency with the aim of destabilising the country.
His words, “We know that people do not like the military, but they should realise that we are the ones keeping this country together, and should avoid giving the enemies the opportunity to operate”.
Earlier, he told journalists to be guided by national interest while reporting the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North east saying “though you may know many things concerning the operations, you should not report things that would hurt or create panic among the people”.
The National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki, on his part said insurgency was tearing the country apart insisting that as long as the media celebrated the activities of Boko Haram, the fight against the insurgency would still be far from being won.
His words: “Insurgency is tearing what holds our country apart. Their activities are new not only to Nigeria, but to the whole world. Media and the security should work together to fight this problem. The media should stop celebrating their activities and ensure professionalism takes priority in their reports, as a means to fighting this insurgents.”
The NSA, who was represented by Prof. Soji Adelaja, said it is what the local journalists report that would go round the world and that since negative occurrences make news, the media should ensure that they report stories that will portray the country in a good light.
“What this insurgents struggle to achieve is to ensure that they get the media to do their bid by manipulating and obstructing the truth about what is going on. They manipulate pictures, videos and other medium to create fear in the hearts of the masses. The media has a great role to play in this regards by ensuring that the truth is told and the right video and pictures are shown to members of the public”, he said.
He therefore called on the media to report responsibly by not sending wrong information to the public but report what will benefit the nation as a whole.
Earlier in his goodwill message, former Chief of Defense Staff and Chairman, Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme, SUREP, General Martin Luther Agwai had said that for the battle of insurgents to be won, there must be effective and efficient communication between the security and the media.
Agwai expressed optimism that the collaboration between the media and the security will fast-track peace and tranquility into the country.
Other speakers at the seminar included the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, Professor Pat Utomi, Dr. Tonie Iredia.
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