The Nigerian military has advised journalists to always seek its approval before embarking on the coverage of the Boko Haram insurgency. This, it said, is to ensure that the journalists are given adequate security.

“Much as the military is not trying to gag the press from carrying out their legitimate duties, permission should be sought from the Armed Forces before embarking on such venture.

Defence spokesperson, Rabe Abubakar, a Brigadier General, in a statement issued on Thursday, said that in addition to endangering themselves, the unauthorised activities of journalists are capable of derailing the counterinsurgency war, even though Boko Haram has been largely decimated.

“It has been observed that certain journalists embark on coverage of security areas in the North East for documentary purpose and the likes without due authorization from the military authorities. This practice is not only capable of jeopardizing the success of the on-going military operations in the area but also poses great concern to the safety of the journalists concerned,” the statement read.

Rabe said that the warning is not an attempt to gag the press, but insisted that journalists must seek permission from the military before going to the affected areas.

“Much as the military is not trying to gag the press from carrying out their legitimate duties, permission should be sought from the Armed Forces before embarking on such venture. This will enable adequate security to be provided for such journalists by the military. Even though Boko Haram has been substantially decimated any roaming journalist could be a target of unsuspecting fleeing Boko Haram member and this will not be in the best interest of media organizations and the nation at large,” he stated.