The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Yusuf Tukur Buratai disclosed on Wednesday that the Boko Haram terrorist group and associated criminal elements was at the verge of being completely cleared out by the military and other security agencies.
While noting that the operations of the terrorist group have been contained, the Army Chief emphasized the need for the media to support the military in its ongoing campaigns to secure the nation.
Buratai spoke at the commencement of a 2-day Media Workshop and 2nd/3rd Quarters Directorate of Army Public Relations Study Period 2017 with the theme: “Enhancing Human Rights during Internal Security Operations through Effective Information Management.”
The Army Chief who was represented by the Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, Major General John Malu stated that the misunderstanding and misconception by various human rights organizations and journalists about the ongoing military operations in the country will be a thing of the past once the narratives about military operations take a positive dimension.
The Army Chief said, “I am particularly delighted that this study period is coming at this time that the nation and the military are at a very critical phase of various security challenges affecting our nation.
“It is critical since the military is on the verge of completely routing out Boko Haram terrorists and other criminals from the nation’s territory.
“This comes with a very important role for the media and the DAPR tasked within the information management of the Nigerian Army
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“It is pertinent to state that the Nigerian Army in conjunction with other security agencies had reached a very important stage in the war against terrorists, having contained their operations to desperate, albeit murderous, suicide attacks and attacks on soft targets with a few futile attempts to portray themselves as a coherent force.
“We will continue to engage and degrade them up until they are completely no more.
“We are determined to achieve this within a shortest possible time.
“At this point, let me call on citizens of our nation, particularly human rights activist and media practitioners to partner with the Nigerian Army and the DAPR in the collective effort to bring to an end the menace of various security challenges affecting the nation.
“The reportage and editorial dimensions taken by journalists will in no small measure aid the efforts of the military.
“While carrying out your role as the fourth estate of the realm, I implore you to do your part in the collective effort to stamp out evil from our nation”.
He said the deliberations of the workshop will help the Army in improving human rights in its operations.
In his welcome address the Director Army Publishing Relations, Brigadier General Sani Usman said the workshop was a forum for cross fertilization of ideas with a view to improving civil military relations and security of the nation.
He enjoined the participants to make good use of the workshop in improving conflict information management.
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