By Chiemelie Ezeobi
The continuous threat of terrorism hovering over the country has been attributed amongst other things to the affiliation of the Boko Haram sect to Mali rebels, Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Al Shabab, adding an international dimension to the challenge.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Azuibuke Ihejirika, made this disclosure yesterday during the interactive session on Military-Media Relations in Nigeria, held in 81 Division Auditorium, Marina, Lagos.
The 4-day programme which was organised by the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Major General Mobolaji Koleoso, has guest speakers like Acting Director General, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Alhaji Musa Mayaki and Chairman, THISDAY Newspaper, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, amongst others billed to speak.
Tagged 'Enhancing Military-Media Relations Towards Improved Security', Ihejirika who spoke at length on the issue of terrorism said the phenomenon requires close cooperation of all countries to contain it.
He disclosed that based on intelligence gathering, the security forces discovered a strong link between the Boko Haram sect and terrorists in Maghreb including rebels in Mali who provide them with training, funding and weapons.
He said, "In Nigeria, the activities of the Boko Haram sect and other terrorist groups continue to threaten the peace and security while their modus operandi poses serious challenge to the security forces in the country.
"Their use of Improvised Explosive Devices ( IEDs) and the adoption of suicide bombing is a clear indication that the Boko Haram sect has no value for human life and the people they claim to represent. The sect's affiliation to Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and Al-Shabab has added an international dimension to its activities."
He expressed worry on how the unpredictable and random nature of terrorist act present serious challenge to security forces in the country.
Ihejirika stated that it has been established that Islamic hegemony whose declared intent was the Islamisation of the entire Northern states of Nigeria, without regards to constitution of the country.
He however, pointed that any country or community whose citizens have high level of security awareness have greater chances of defeating terrorists before they carry out their dastardly acts.
Ihejirika noted that the role of the media in warfare took root in the dynamics of the global security environment, adding that, where information manoeuvres refer to the shaping of public opinion and view with respect to event.
He said, "It is for this reason that terrorists carefully select the places in which they carry out their attacks in order to provide the best media coverage.
"On the whole, terrorists rely on the media as a tool to shrink the power asymmetry between them and the governments they fight, create an atmosphere of fear and suspicion, legitimize their acts, and reach greater audience."
While declaring the event open, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Olusola Obada, said that apart from performing its primary role, the Nigerian Army, has equally promoted the ideal of professionalism , integrity and discipline in all its engagement.
She pointed out that just as the media need the military in carrying out its daily activities, the military also need the media to publicise its activities, adding that, the media need to also understand and follow military procedure in dealing with them
In his remarks, the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, emphasised on the need for a military-media relationship, adding that it would indeed improve on the challenges facing security agencies in the fight against terrorism.
The governor stated the need for this interaction with the media also suggest that there was an issue, adding that security is often the most difficult role of government.
He said, "There is need for multi-level policing because the most difficult role of government is protecting lives. Since last week, we have been reaching out to all the strata of the society including religious leaders."
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