The Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Army Headquarters, Major General M. G Kangye has said that as a result of the activities and engagements of the Department of Civil Military Affairs of the Nigeria Army, litigations instituted against the Military by civilians over alleged Human Rights Abuses have drastically reduced compared to the scenario before the creation of the department. This according to him is a sign that since its establishment in 2010, the Department of Civil Military Affairs has been able to interact and interface with civilians, and also engage troops on the need to maintain synergy with the public on the rules of engagement and the purpose of military operations.
This was disclosed during the Second Quarter 2023 CIMIC Media Chat organized by the Department of Civil Military Affairs, Nigerian Army, held at the Patrick Hall, Crispan Hotel, Jos, 9n Wednesday 10th May 2023. The event with the Theme: ‘Media as a Critical Tool in Addressing Insecurity in Nigeria’ had the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Farouk Yahaya as special guest of honour, who was ably represented by the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Nigerian and Army and Commander Operation Safe Haven, Major General Ibrahim Bagudu.
The top Army brass intimated media practicioners, invited guests and indeed senior military officers present at the event that for all purpose and intent the engagement was a quarterly activity organized to bring the media up to speed to the various ongoing military operations, which is expected to be cascaded to the public in order to build public trust and confidence in the efforts of the military and the successes recorded in maintaining peace and security, leading to economic prosperity of Nigeria. The Army Boss stressed that these and the maintenance of the territorial integrity of Nigeria is chief amongst what the military has been able to achieve relatively, despite challenges over the years and hence requires synergy and partnership with the media and other critical stakeholders in order to continue to win the war against insecurity.
There was a paper Presentation on “The Media and National Security: Partners for Development” the Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Chapter, Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche which had at the core of the discussion the need for greater Synergy between the Military and the Media, in the interest of National Security. High points of the event was a discussion session which had as panelists respected media practicioners from across the country who discussed the challenges of Media reportage of security operations and National security. They made far reaching suggestions which both the Military and Media learned from going forward.
Nigeria Star News 