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From Desmond Mgboh, Kano
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja, has reaffirmed the unalloyed loyalty of the officers and men of the Nigerian Army to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Speaking in Kano on Thursday at the Nigerian Army Clinic’s Quarterly Media Chat, he also appreciated the President’s continuous strategic guidance and unwavering support for the Nigerian Army.
Represented by the General Officer Commanding the 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Mayirenso Lander David Suraso, Lagbaja appreciated the sacrifices made by his officers and men in the various operational theatres across the country.
On their milestones, he revealed that they have neutralised hundreds of terrorists and their commanders in the North East, thereby liberating many of their enclaves inside Sambisa Forest, the Timbuktu Triangle, and the Mandara Mountains, adding that similar feats have also been recorded in other regions of Nigeria.
Addressing the media on the theme of the occasion, “Synergising Civil-Military Cooperation for National Security: Focus on Nigerian Army – Media Relations”, Lt General Lagbaja implored media practitioners to exercise responsibility, accuracy, and fairness in reporting the activities of the Nigerian Army.
He appealed to them to avoid disseminating fake news or inflammatory content that could undermine national unity and security.
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“While we acknowledge the freedom of the press, it is crucial to strike a balance between national security interests and the public’s right to information,” he stated.
The Army Chief recommitted the Army to improving media access to their operations within the bounds of operational security, emphasising that such access will assist the media in achieving accurate reportage of their activities and help build and promote trust between the Army and civil society.
In his remarks, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf appreciated the role of the Nigerian Army in ensuring peace and security in the state, taking particular note of their contribution to security during the days of Boko Haram terrorists in the state.
Represented by the State Commissioner of Information, Baba Dantiye, the Governor pledged to continue to support security agencies in the state, including the Nigerian Army, to discharge their constitutional mandate.
