Media our strongest allies for national security – Lagbaja

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, on Thursday, said the media remained the army’s strongest allies for achieving national security.

Lt.- Gen. Lagbaja made the assertion at the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Media Chat for the Third Quarter of 2024 in Makurdi, Benue.

It was reported that the theme of the media chat is: “The Media and the Military: Allies in Pursuit of National Security”.

He said that the media played a vital role in ensuring that the public are well-informed and educated about the government and its agencies’ activities, including the Nigerian Army, and the responsibilities of good citizens.

Lagbaja said that the partnership between the army and the media was essential for achieving national security goals and was critical for maintaining peace, harmony, and the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

He said that public education and enlightenment were essential for citizens to fully understand their roles in the whole-of-nation approach to addressing shared challenges.

“In this regard, our strongest allies in ensuring national security are those who influence the minds of citizens—the media.

“Therefore, the theme for this event, “The Media and the Military: Allies in Pursuit of National Security,” aptly highlights the significant roles both the media and the Nigerian Army play in safeguarding national security.

“I believe the longstanding debate over whether the pen is mightier than the sword has been settled—the pen has triumphed, affirming its superiority,” he said.

The COAS said that the Nigerian Army remained committed to protecting law-abiding citizens and their civil liberties.

He said that the media servef as a crucial link between the military and the public in ensuring accountability and fostering mutual trust.

“While significant progress has been made in improving communication and media engagement, challenges persist, and forums like this help address some of these challenges in the relationship,” Lagbaja said.

He promised to establish regular communication channels to facilitate transparent reporting on military operations and timely dissemination of information, countering disinformation and misinformation while building public confidence.

He urged media practitioners to uphold responsibility, accuracy, and fairness in reporting on the Nigerian Army’s activities, balancing national security interests with the public’s right to information.

The COAS further said that the army had intensified it’s operations across various regions in the country with tailored strategies to address the unique security threats in each region.

“I am pleased to report significant successes in these efforts across multiple theatres.

“These include the neutralisation of several terrorists and their leaders, the rescue of some abducted Nigerians, and the restoration of socio-economic activities in affected communities, leading to the return of internally displaced persons to their ancestral homes.

“Our efforts have also significantly boosted crude oil production while enhancing food security through special patrols and escort duties that enable farmers to cultivate their crops.

“In response to recent human-made and natural disasters in parts of the country, we activated our emergency response capabilities. We leveraged our unique competencies, as demonstrated in the recent flood incidents in Maiduguri,” he said.

Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja urged Nigerians to support the military and the media to adhere to the ethic of responsible and balanced reporting.

He also commended President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering commitment and support to the armed forces.