Boko Haram: Media urged to focus more on peace building

Boko Haram: Media urged to focus more on peace building

By: Our Reporter

The theatre commander joint task force northeast operating Hadin Kai, Major General Christopher Musa on Tuesday urges journalists to focus more on peace building, military strength in the prosecution of the ongoing conflict in their reportage.

General Musa stated this while speaking at the military, media parley held at the Officers mess, Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, in northeast Nigeria.

According to him, “the choice of the theme for this event, Building Stronger Synergy for Peace in the North East is apt considering the grave consequence of indifference and/or failure of the stakeholders in the Theatre to work harmoniously towards return of peace and stability to the North East affected by terrorism.”

While welcoming media practitioners in the state to the occasion, General Christopher said, the military recognize the crucial role media play not just in disseminating and informing the people but also in educating and molding the society’.

“Therefore, this parley is necessary to us at this crucial time of jointness in Operation HADIN KAI. I have said repeatedly that kinetic approach in any asymmetric war constitutes just about 20 percent. Your efforts in passing the right

Information, sensitizing the civil populace in support of our operations As part of the peace effort constitutes part of the non-kinetic approach to the counterinsurgency.

“I am glad that you have decided to collaborate with the Theatre to organize this event with the aim of examining areas of challenges in reporting the ongoing counter insurgency operation. Operation HADIN KAI, identifies gaps in civil-military relations in the Theatre.

“This parley therefore, is an integral part of the non-kinetic approach and the

more reason why you need to achieve these objectives which you set for yourselves. Let me remind you that Nigeria remains the only country we have and we must therefore do everything within the law and ethic of your jobs to build, Nurture and Sustain Peace. 

“You must take ownership of these operations, our reportage must be geared towards building peace not merely for fulfilling your editorial needs. You should begin to ask yourself. How does this report help in building peace in the Northeast?

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“I am aware many of you have been reporting on the conflict since its inception and have also shared from the pains and tragedies brought by insurgency.

“It is clear that many of the terrorists too are tired of fighting, they are hungry and wish to leave the life they lived in the bush. This is why thousands of combatants and non-combatants of Boko Haram are now Surrendering. It is one sure way of bringing peace to the North East.

“The military authority led by the Chief of Defence Staff, is committed to ending this war. 

“The Chief of Army Staff and all service Chiefs are working harmoniously to ensure the region enjoys peace. Let’s play our own part and time will come when we ask ourselves what role did I play in bringing peace, succour to this society?

“I wish you fruitful deliberations in this Parley”

The General also ask the media to suggest method of strategically communicating the current surrendering of Boko Haram and re-integration process as non-kinetic approach to end protracted insurgency in the North East.

Boko Haram: Media urged to focus more on peace building