The Theatre Commander Operation HADIN KAI, OPHK, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar has appealed to media practitioners to ensure that their reportage of the on going Boko Haram/ ISWAP terrorists crisis are not tailored to promote enemies cause .
Abubakar said the media should realize that they are an essential partner in the on going war against insurgents , therefore their works must be seen to promote the activities of security agencies specifically the Joint Task Forces who are at forefront of the war rather than indirectly encouraging the terrorists.
Major General Abubakar gave the advice at the Headquarters of Operation HADIN KAI in Malmalari Army Barracks , Maiduguri Borno State capital on Tuesday when he received members of Defence Correspondents on tour of the war theatres in the country.
He said that the enemies are not fighting specifically against the military but Nigerians and the country as whole. So it baffled me, last week , when media concentrated in reporting the death of a captain who paid the supreme prize, rather than the death of 15 terrorists that were neutralized and many others fled with various degree of injuries.
The Theatre Commander said the military authorities are tackling vex issues of sabotage relating to armoury personnel pilfering with arms and ammunitions and other negatives vices .
He said so far 69 soldiers have been court Marshal. He pointed out that their offences are not related to human rights abuses adding that discipline must be fully restored.
He also said that the Theatre nearly lost a brigade Commander to a bomb ambush road side attack but for the combat enabler. He , however , added that combat enabler with out an air cover does not guarantee protection.
The Theatre Commander said they are adopting strategies that would wear out the terrorists not withstanding the vast area under its command.