Defence Chief says misinformation undermining military’s fight against terrorism

The Nigeria Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Gen. Chris Musa, has assured Nigerians of the military’s commitment to deal with security challenges but lamented that misinformation is accountable for the wrong perception of the military and the escalation of killings in communities.

Gen. Musa who spoke of the neutrality of the military also appealed for an understanding between the soldiers and the host communities where they were posted to work.

The CDS said this in Jos, Plateau State during a national convention/retreat on civil society/military partnership in mitigating crisis in North Central, organised by the Middle Belt Journalists Forum, MBJF.

Represented by Brigadier-General Michael Agi, the Chief of Staff at Operation Safe Haven, OpSH, the CDS said:  “You have resolved to be a part of a sustainable effort to clear either the misinformation or effects of fake news, especially in the social media, which is largely accountable for the wrong perceptions of the military and the escalations of killings in the region.

“This retreat is coming at the right time when misinformation about our operations is undermining our strong determination to end terrorism and banditry.

“Let me assure Nigerians of the neutrality of the armed forces in dealing with ugly challenges facing the nation generally and the region in particular.

“I have listened to your complaints and we will address them squarely… the soldiers you see fighting for you are your soldiers, they need your support, especially on information.” 

In his remarks, Plateau State governor, Caleb Mutfwang, said his administration was working closely with members of the pen profession towards promoting peaceful coexistence among the people, irrespective of any affiliation.

The governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Information and Communication, Samuel Tsoho, disclosed that a committee that would chart a way of returning internally displaced persons, IDPs, to their original place of abode was in place.

He noted that the retreat would contribute significantly to addressing the security challenges bedevilling the Middle Belt.

Professor Sampson Terwase of the National Defence College, Abuja, who delivered the keynote address, called for more advocacy and public awareness to enable citizens and the military to have a robust understanding of the fight against insecurity.

The President of the Forum, Jonathan Ipaa, and other speakers, including the National President of Plateau Initiative for the Advancement of the Natives, PIDAN, Aboi Madaki, called for an urgent end to insecurity to ensure food security.

He noted that the Middle Belt’s economy was being attacked, adding that the region had become endangered.

According to him, the food basket is empty and the markets are now occupied by the attackers.  

PIDAN decried the fact that farmlands had been taken over by herders who graze and settle on them, chasing the natives into camps.

He insisted that Middle Belt people were not beggars but people who needed security from marauding killers to enable them to go back to the farms.

“People now farm within communities, while vast farmlands are occupied by terrorists. This is affecting us terribly in terms of food production,” he said.