The Chief of Defence Staff, Marshal Alex Badeh, had on Wednesday, October 8, 2014, attributed the failure of Federal Government to retrieve the missing Chibok girls who were kidnapped by terrorist group, Boko Haram to what he called the “fifth columnists” who are promulgating contradictory and conflicting updates from the military.
Air Chief Badeh, while facilitating a three-day workshop on “Security/Media Relations in Crisis Management” in Abuja, yesterday, analysed all the intricacies that are attached to the socio-political errors that is having an adverse effect on the efficiency of the Nigerian Army and other paramilitary set up.
According to him;
“We cannot do much as expected because there are too many fifth columnists.
“There was a report which says oh, we have seen some of the Chibok girls, only eight are missing, it was a very senior officer that gave that information from Chibok area,” he said.
“We are dealing with that situation. That was when people started saying watch what Major General Olukolade, the director of Defence Information says. He was misled by one of us,” Mr. Badeh said.
The Chief of Defense Staff further urged journalists to be guided by national interest as they report and update the public on the activities of the counter-insurgency and their plans.
He also advised the military that they should diplomatically disburse reports to the public such as it would not create unnecessary fear or panic in the nation.
He also cited that the media is not helping in the fight against terrorism as he claims that newspapers are always quick to publish ascertained stories.
“Without pointing accusing fingers, some newspapers celebrate when anything bad happens to this country.
“They really celebrate it, maybe because of politics. President Jonathan cannot be doing everything.
“When an institution has small problem, you do not go and say the president has failed,” he said, adding that journalists should endeavour to verify their report before publishing.
“If you know how many condolence messages I have received that my house is burnt, that my whole village has been burnt; but no Boko Haram has gone to my village.
“I do not know whether it is me they want to bring down or the president that they want to bring down, that is the media for you,” he said.
The National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki, urged the media to be diligent in their reportage of the operations.
He said the country is facing a “significant security challenge”.
Represented by Soji Adelaja of the NSA Office, he said that terrorism was new to the nation and cautioned against reports and pictures that could affect the image of the country.
The chairman of the occasion, Martin Luther Agwai, a former defence chief, said there was need for the media and security agencies to partner in handling the current situation.
