THE Nigerian Army says it will take legal action against media organizations and individuals that spread fake news about the recent Boko Haram attacks on some of its locations in the North East.
The new Director of Army Public Relations, Sani Kukasheka Usman, made this known in a statement on Friday, adding that the “deliberate and concerted efforts to mislead the public by some people through misinformation” has become a matter of great concern for the leadership of the Nigerian military.
Usman, who had been removed as the Army spokesman earlier this year and replaced by Texas Chukwu, was reinstated to the position last week.
“Most of these inaccurate, false reports and fake news were aimed at denigrating the leadership of the Nigerian Army,” Usman stated.
“This is a deliberate attempt to demoralise the Nigerian Army which would have devastating consequences on troops’ will to discharge their constitutional duties especially in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, thus affecting national security.
“We have, however, identified the few unpatriotic harbingers of the fake news on the attack at Metele and would take appropriate legal actions against them.
“This is to ensure that the Nigerian Army is insulated from propaganda and ulterior motives of destabilising the country. The Nigerian Army is quite aware that the perpetrators through these acts are covertly supporting terrorists and their activities in Nigeria with a long-term objective.
“We are also aware that they want to use insecurity to scuttle and subvert the democratic process in the country.”
Usman warned journalists and media platforms to be professional and accurate in their reportage, and also warned persons he described as “mischief makers” to keep the Army out of their politics and mischief.
“The achievements of the Nigerian Army within the last three years are glaringly obvious, therefore, whatever recent temporary setbacks we experienced in the course of the fight against terrorism and insurgency should not be the yardstick for condemning these laudable three and half years’ accomplishments,” he said.
“We, therefore, need the continued support, encouragement, and understanding of well-meaning Nigerians as we deal decisively with the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists hibernating at the fringes of our borders with contiguous countries of Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic.”
Usman reiterated the Army’s commitment to the defence of the territorial integrity of the country. He assured that the army would continue to be professional in its assigned roles and remain apolitical at all times.
Militia camp at NYSC camp
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai has ordered for a thorough investigation of the discovery of militia camp at NYSC Orientation Camp, Nonwa Gbam, Tai Local Government Area (LGA), Rivers State.
The 6 Division Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt toldthe News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday it has discovered an illegal militia training camp inside a Rivers community.
The army authorities in a statement on Friday said it had arrested ten of the operators of the illegal militia camp comprising the camp Commandant and nine officials, and had handed over to the Rivers State Police Command.
“The Nigerian Army wishes to reiterate that it would continue to remain professional and apolitical in the discharge of its Constitutional duties. We reaffirm our determination to be responsive to the defence and safeguard of democratic institutions in this country and remain non-partisan in all our undertakings,” the statement read.