The Nigerian Army on Monday appealed for the media’s support in the war to end the menace of Boko Haram terrorists in the country.
The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, a Lieutenant General, made the appeal at the Army’s Directorate of Army Public Relations, DAPR, 2015 Third Quarter Study Period themed: “Enhancing Information Management In Conflicts and Military Operations” holding in Maiduguri.
Buratai, who spoke through the Commander of Operation Laifiya Dole, Yusha’u Abubakar, a Major General, called on media practitioners to support the Army to bring to an end the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East.
“I am particularly delighted that this Study Period is coming at this time that the nation and the military are at a very critical phase of the war against terrorists.
He continued saying that: “It is critical since the military is at the verge of completely routing out Boko Haram terrorists from the nation’s territory,” he said.
He described the occasion as timely and significant, adding that the media and DAPR have a role to play in the task of managing the image of the military.
On the role of the citizens, particularly media practitioners, he said that “the reportage and editorial dimensions taken by you journalists will in no small measure complement the efforts of the military.”
“While carrying out your roles as the fourth estate of the realm, I implore you to do your part in the collective efforts of stamping out evil from our nation.”
Buratai noted that regular trainings will be carried out to enhance military professionals fighting Boko Haram terrorism and insurgency.
On Operations Lafiya Dole, Burantai said hat the army and other security agencies “had reached a very important stage in the war against terrorists, having contained their operations to desperate, albeit murderous, suicide attacks and attacks on soft targets with a few futile attempts to portray themselves as coherent force.
He said that the military continue to engage the insurgents until the timeline set by President Muhammadu Buhari is met.