Nig Military Issues Red Card To Journalists!

Obviously irked by the ongoing coverage of Boko Haram activities in three states; Borno, Yobe Adamawa by international media, the Nigerian military today came hard on them banning them from such areas. The foreign media especially AFP, Reuters and CNN have provided extensive coverage of the abduction of over 200 girls from the Government Secondary School, Chibok in Borno state, a development that has exposed the anger of the locals against the federal government and the weakness of the nation’s military against the insurgents.

A statement by the Defence Headquarters today said it “has noted the presence of a large number of tourists, journalists and adventurers of diverse interests moving about in areas where security operations are currently ongoing especially in Adamawa and Borno States without the necessary security cover or clearance.  This trend constitutes unnecessary risk to the persons especially the foreigners involved.  It is also an undue obstruction to operations.”

The release signed by Major General Chris Olukolade warned that “much as the military has nothing to hide and believes in the freedom of movement in the country, the need for all persons to recognize the status of certain places as operational area is hereby reiterated.  Anyone violating the existing procedures for coverage or movement in the mission area does so at his or her own peril as the security forces should not be held responsible for any unsavory outcome of such movement.”

“Necessary arrangement will continue to be made for the protection of persons and visitors whose movement is duly vetted and in line with development in the security situation on ground in particular mission area.  The general public is hereby informed that obstructive, suspicious or risky movement of visitors will not be condoned in any mission and operational area in the country”, he added.

IRNG