By Augustine Aminu
Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, has called on media practitioners to uphold responsibility, accuracy and fairness while reporting activities of the Nigerian Army.
The COAS who made the call on the occasion of the Nigerian Army Civil Quarterly Chat for the Third Quarter 2024 in Makurdi on Thursday, also urged media practitioners to ensure that they balance national security interests with the public’s right to information.
He said it was crucial for media practitioners to avoid spreading misinformation or inflammatory content that could undermine national unity and security.
“I must emphasize 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,” he said.
According to him, the Nigerian Army is dedicated to enhancing media access to its operations while maintaining operational security.
Such commitment, he stressed, underscores the importance of a transparent communication strategy and the need for the Nigerian Army and the media to embrace their respective roles and responsibilities.
“This Media Chat embodies our unwavering dedication to fostering clear and effective communication between the Nigerian Army and the media. Accurate and balanced reporting is crucial for building trust between the Army and the public.
“Therefore, media practitioners are encouraged to maintain high professionalism, accuracy, impartiality, and patriotism, which are essential to contributing positively to national security objectives.
“Together, we can enhance public understanding, build trust, and promote the greater welfare of our beloved nation. To achieve this, our collaboration must extend beyond conflict reporting to include national development, peacebuilding, and community engagements.
“Our combined efforts should highlight initiatives that improve citizens’ lives, foster a positive image of our country, Nigeria, and promote nation-building and development through enhanced national security.
“These efforts would foster patriotism and loyalty, essential to addressing our contemporary security challenges, as insecurity cannot thrive without public support.
“The Nigerian Army reaffirms its commitment to a strong, mutually beneficial relationship with the media, essential for securing our nation’s territorial integrity and advancing socio-economic development. Together, let us strengthen our civil-military cooperation and uphold democratic principles, human rights, and freedom of the press.”
The army chief also disclosed that the Nigerian Army has intensified operations across various regions with tailored strategies to address the unique security threats in each region. Such operations, he said had turned out with significant successes.
“These include the neutralization 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.”
He called on Nigerians to support the Nigerian Army even as he urged the media to adhere to responsible and balanced reporting.
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