The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to the verdict of guilt placed on the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), by the editorial of a certain popular newspaper, Wednesday, March 2025.
Given the esteem and critical roles of the journalism profession to the development of our dear country, it would have been more appropriate and in compliance with the professional ethics to fact check from the military hierarchy to confirm actions taken as regard the unfortunate incidence before placing guilt judgement on the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Gleaning through the editorial, the conspicuous attempt to vilify or cast aspersion on the person of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa and the Service Chiefs as giving tacit support to what the editorial described as growing impunity amounts to been economical with the truth.
We also believed that the editorial is not been fair to the AFN.
Although, the guiding ethics laid emphasis on the need to fact check and balance report, the said newspaper editorial however, fall short to adherence to the basic roles of the profession.
That the military has continued to ride roughshod on civilians and private enterprises, to say the least, amount to drawing hyperbole on the superlative side.
This is premised on the fact that we have 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. Those isolated cases reported happened in Lagos. Therefore, to paint the picture to the general public as if this is a daily occurrence across the nation, is not fair enough.
The editorial also asserted that past incidences recorded were treated with levity and false conciliation devoid of punitive measures against erring personnel.
This assertion is also worrisome. In the practice of journalism, comment is said to be free, but facts are sacred. Besides, stating the facts in editorial, there should be no room for personal opinion, to avoid being lopsided in judgement.
The editorial column, supposedly, is perceived by some readers as an objective opinion on national matters. This call for caution in the commentary on sensitive and particularly, security issues.
Therefore, it is not the newspaper that will now be recommending independent oversight mechanism, to ensure the military is accountable. In all the 3 Services including the Defence Headquarters, we have military police and Intelligence Corps, saddled with the task of thorough investigation and disciplining erring military personnel, these they have been doing with all due diligence, while having the overall national interest as guiding compass.
The AFN in its resolve to ensure zero tolerance to indiscipline, has standby Court Marshals in all its formations to try erring personnel. This has helped to strengthen the respect for citizens’ fundamental human rights.
The AFN under the able leadership of General Christopher Musa will continue to remain focused, committed and submissive to the tenet of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Signed
TUKUR GUSAU,
Brigadier General
Director Defence Information
19 March, 2025
