ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa, has urged the media to exercise professionalism and responsibility in reporting security issues, warning against amplifying propaganda from terrorist groups.
Musa cautioned that such reports could demoralise troops and give undue publicity to criminal elements threatening the country’s security.
He spoke on Tuesday after a strategic security meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs, where operational strategies across various theatres of operation were reviewed.
The minister also warned that individuals providing information or logistics support to criminal groups would be treated as accomplices and prosecuted accordingly.
According to him, the Armed Forces, working in collaboration with other security agencies, are intensifying efforts to combat terrorism, banditry and other security threats across the country.
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“The military has recorded some casualties in the line of duty, but security forces have continued to inflict significant losses on terrorists and bandits, including eliminating several of their commanders and destroying their assets,” he said.
Musa reaffirmed the military’s determination to defeat threats to Nigeria’s peace and unity, urging citizens to support ongoing operations by providing credible intelligence to security agencies.
He stressed that tackling insecurity requires collective efforts from both the government and the public.
The minister further assured Nigerians that under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government remains committed to supporting the Armed Forces and other security agencies to restore peace and stability across the country.
Those present at the meeting included the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwah, the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oloyede, the Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shuaibu, the Chief of Naval Staff, Idi Abbas, the Chief of Air Staff, Sunday Aneke, and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Emmanuel Udieandeye.