Nigeria's chief of army staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, has said while the military has recorded tremendous success in its battle against terrorists in the country, Nigerians have made their work worryingly difficult by giving undue publicity to Boko Haram Terrorists and other criminal elements in the country.
The army chief in a statement by the acting director, Army Public Relations, Col Sagir Musa, said spreading propaganda and giving undue publicity has further boosted the image of criminals in the country thereby undermining the achievements of the military in their war against terrorism.
“It is wrong for any person to eulogise or support murderers, bandits and armed robbers that the known Boko Haram terrorists group has turned into.
“Consequently, referring to such gang of criminals, bandits, insurgents such as Boko Haram Terrorists Group, JAS or ISWAP in Nigeria, could amount to supporting or encouraging terrorism,” he said.
“It is common knowledge that the criminals no longer pretend to be championing any cause other than quest for materialism as manifested in murder and terror on hapless people.”
“Unfortunately, many Nigerians are not aware that giving prominence to the criminal activities of the terrorist group through sensational headlines and fake news in both electronic and print media, could also amount to tacit support to terrorism which violates the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011.”
He, therefore, urged Nigerians who had to endure the spite of terrorism in the country for some time now, to support the army as they fight these criminals.
