The Theatre Commander, Operation Hadkin Kai, Major General Christopher Musa has called for closer collaboration between the media and the military in other to win the war against insurgency.
General Musa made the call, Tuesday, at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri during a parley with members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists in the Northeast region.
He noted that the parley has become necessary at this time of jointness of operations considering the that, crucial role media play is not just in disseminating and informing the people but also in educating and moulding the society.
“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 the return of peace and stability to the North East affected by terrorism.
“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.
“You must take ownership of this 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?
“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 Boko Haram are now
Surrendering. It is one sure way of bringing peace to the Northeast. 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,” he added.
The Theatre Commander assured that the military authority led by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, is committed to ending this war while all service Chiefs are working harmoniously to ensure the region enjoy peace.
The parley, General Musa noted is an integral part of the non-kinetic approach in the fight against insurgency. The event was organised with the aim of examining areas of challenges in reporting the ongoing counterinsurgency operation: Operation HADIN KAI, identify gaps in civil-military relations in the Theatre.