Nigeria’s military has made more gains in the fight against insurgency and banditry in parts of the country than what criminal elements have claimed.
Commander of the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Muftau Ibrahim disclosed this to the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Cross River State, which paid him a visit yesterday.
But he said the media have rather paid attention to the insignificant gains the criminal elements have made in one or two places.
He appealed that there should be more exposure of the wins of the military and not the activities of criminal elements.
“All the criminal elements need is to win once, and they are all over the media while the Nigerian military wins every day, yet no one notices.
“Without the media beaming light on the activities and wins of the Nigerian Army, it will not be known and there would be a lot of misinformation.
“Sometimes, we take action that the civil populace don’t understand and sometimes, there are accidents but our intentions at the end of it all is the peace and security of Nigeria,” he said.
He acknowledged the collaboration with the media, saying the Army has enjoyed a good relationship with them even though the social media has become a source of worry as many people hide to make inciting and provocative statements in them intending to destroying the nation.
He urged Nigerians to love their country, secure her and be patriotic.
“I don’t believe anything is wrong with Nigeria, the citizens are just the ones who give the nation a bad image, when in reality, this nation is blessed,” he maintained.
He added that no militancy or insurgency can survive in a location without the support of local populace.
Ibrahim noted that Cross River was relatively peaceful because the people were naturally peace loving.
Speaking earlier, chairman of the NUJ, Cross River Council, Comrade Archibong Bassey, the army was not duly appreciated except during the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, maintaining that this was not enough.
According to her, the army has garnered heroic achievements in the fights against insurgency and banditry in the last few years.
She assured that NUJ will continue to highlight the feats of the army as they make more gains for the country.
