Army seeks media cooperation to end insurgency
Andrew Orolua, Abuja.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Yusuf Buratai has called for a better understanding of the role of the military by the citizenry in particular the Nigerian media to enhance the army operations across the the country and the insurgency to an end.
He said that the misunderstanding and misconception by various human rights organisations and journalists alleging rights violation were detrimental to efforts of professional army that is proficient in its duties.
General Buratai stated this while declaring open the Directorate of Army Public Relations Media Workshop and Second/third Quarters Study Period, in Abuja.
He said that an understanding between the media and military is critical as the military is at the verge of completely routing out Boko Haram terrorists from the nation territory.
He said already, the army and other security agencies have degraded the capacity of the terrorists for coherent force, and reached an important stage of the war that required deeper corporation of the media till “the terrorists are completely no more.”
Earlier in his welcome address the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Usman had said the theme : Enhancing Human Rights During Internal Operations through Effective Information Management ” was deliberately chosen in face of the propaganda and psychological warfare being waged in social media.
He said that troops are professionally discharging their duties against the terrorists and insurgency but their work is being misunderstood , under reported or misrepresented by certain section of the media.
He warned that false accusations portray the Nigerian army in bad light and create negative impart on troops morale and fighting spirit. He said it is important that media practitioners assist in promoting the image of the army to more enviable standard and play their role.
