The Nigerian Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has called on the media to join hands with it in ensuring the safety of lives, property of citizens and critical national infrastructure.

Spokesman of the DHQ, Rabe Abubakar, made the call during a session with Journalists in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital, where he had visited as part of a media tour across the country.

Abubakar, who met with the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in the oil-rich state said that the era of secrecy in the Nigeria military was over.

He added that he was touring media houses in the six geo-political zones in Nigeria, interacting with relevant stakeholders in the media industry in efforts to getting them to partner with the military for the greater good of the nation.

The DHQ spokesman said: “From north-east, I moved to the north-west, where I interacted with all the media houses there.

“Now I am in the Niger Delta to have a chat with the media executives and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.

“There is a policy shift in the military now; the days of secrecy are over.

“In view of this, we decided to extend a hand of fellowship to stakeholders, especially the media.”

Abubakar also urged media practitioners in the Niger Delta region to contribute their quota towards ensuring that the military succeed in its operations in the region.

“We need ourselves for this great country to move forward,” he said.

“We have responsibility to protect the lives of innocent citizens. It is only then that we can move the country away from crisis.

“Our duty as military is to ensure total peace not only in the Niger Delta, but in all areas where we have operations.”

On the military operation that is currently ongoing in the region, “Operation Delta Safe”, Abubakar said it was launched in order to check the activities of militants who engage in destruction of critical oil and gas facilities.

He also re-echoed the stance of the Nigerian army that own troops have “finished Boko Haram” with the capture of the Sambisa forest.

The military spokesman urged the media to lead a campaign that would produce lasting peace in the country.

Chairman of the Bayelsa council of the NUJ, John Angese, commended Abubakar for his visit, while also eulogising the Nigerian armed forces for their sacrifices and efforts at ensuring that Nigeria remained a united country.

Angese assured that the NUJ in Bayelsa will always support the Nigerian armed forces in their responsibility of protecting the territorial integrity of the country.