Defence chief echoes Buratai’s warning to media, Nigerians on discussing Boko Haram

The era of giving terrorists undue publicity should end, so says the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Gabriel Olonishakin, who warned the media not to glorify extremists, or give them undue attention through constant reportage.

Major General Olonishakin who issued the warning on Thursday while speaking at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, during the Defence Correspondence Seminar 2019 themed “Enhancing National Security and Cohesion through Responsible Media Reportage”, also added that in times of crisis, the main effort of the press should be geared towards peace-building.

Recall, that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, had also recently told Nigerians and the media to stop discussing or reporting Boko Haram.

According to him, terrorists were being given “undue publicity” which had further boosted their image.

A statement by Col Sagir Musa, Acting Director Army Public Relations, said Buratai made the remark in Maiduguri during a visit to troops in the North East.

Buratai said that it was wrong for any person to eulogize or support murderers, bandits and armed robbers that the known Boko Haram terrorists group had turned into.

On his part, Olonishakin noted that military operations demand a cordial working relationship with the media for enlightenment purpose and national security.

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General Olanishakin’s warning comes days after the Nigerian Airforce on Tuesday said several Boko Haram terrorists had been killed as the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE destroyed a Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) camp at Abulam, Allagarno Forest, in Borno State.

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