CDS Warns: Misinformation Hampers Military’s Anti-Terrorism Efforts Amid Rising Attacks

CDS Warns: Misinformation Hampers Military’s Anti-Terrorism Efforts Amid Rising Attacks

In a bid to address the surge in misinformation impacting the perception of military operations and its consequences on communal security, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Chris Musa, has vowed to combat the dissemination of false narratives hampering the military’s resolve to quell terrorism and banditry.

Speaking at a groundbreaking national convention in Jos, Plateau State, Gen. Musa emphasized the detrimental role of misinformation, particularly on social media platforms, in exacerbating conflicts and escalating violence across the region.

Represented by Brigadier-General Michael Agi, the CDS highlighted the necessity for collaboration between civil society and the military to dispel misinformation and foster mutual understanding. He assured Nigerians of the military’s impartiality in addressing national security challenges, urging for unity and support from local communities where soldiers are deployed.

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, echoed the commitment to peacebuilding efforts, underscoring collaboration with the media to promote harmony among diverse groups. He disclosed initiatives aimed at resettling internally displaced persons and affirmed the significance of the retreat in tackling security crises plaguing the Middle Belt.

Professor Sampson Terwase of the National Defence College emphasized the need for heightened advocacy and public awareness to enhance citizen-military cooperation in combating insecurity.

Leaders from the Middle Belt region, including Jonathan Ipaa, Aboi Madaki, and Chief Clement Ibo, emphasized the urgent need to curb insecurity to safeguard food production and economic stability. They decried the encroachment of farmlands by armed herders, stressing the imperative of restoring security to enable communities to resume agricultural activities.

As the region grapples with escalating violence and food insecurity, stakeholders underscored the imperative of concerted efforts to counter misinformation and restore peace to the embattled Middle Belt.