The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), has urged media organisations across Nigeria to exercise professionalism and responsibility in their reportage by avoiding the dissemination of terrorist propaganda capable of demoralising troops and granting undue publicity to criminal groups.
The minister made the appeal 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.
He reassured Nigerians that the Armed Forces, working in collaboration with other security agencies, are intensifying efforts to combat terrorism, banditry and other security threats undermining national stability.
According to him, although the military has suffered casualties in the line of duty, security forces have continued to record significant operational successes against criminal elements.
“The security forces have inflicted substantial losses on terrorists and bandits, including the elimination of several of their commanders and the destruction of their operational assets,” he said.
Gen. Musa reaffirmed the military’s determination to defeat all threats to Nigeria’s peace and unity, while calling on citizens to support security agencies by providing credible intelligence that could aid ongoing operations.
He stressed that tackling insecurity requires collective responsibility, warning that individuals who provide information, logistics or other forms of assistance to criminal groups would be treated as accomplices and dealt with in accordance with the law.
The defence minister also assured Nigerians that under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government remains committed to providing the necessary support to the Armed Forces and other security agencies in their efforts to restore lasting peace and security across the country.
Among those present at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwah; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oloyede; the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu; the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke; and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Udieandeye.
