Two weeks after the plot to bomb about 16 landmarks in Lagos was uncovered and 14 culprits arrested, new information has shown that the suspected terrorists had smuggled in the said explosives and the detonators in empty fuel tankers.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Azubike Ihejirika, who made this disclosure yesterday at the second day of the interactive session on Military-Media Relations in Nigeria, held in Lagos, said the plot was nipped in the bud through intelligence reports.
This is just as the guest speaker, Editor-in-Chief/Chairman of THISDAY Newspapers, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, called on the military to revamp, restructure and properly fund its intelligence unit for optimal result in curbing the activities of the terrorist groups.
Obaigbena made the statement following the destructive activities of the terrorist group, which has made life unbearable for Nigerians.
Ihejirika said: “The new information at our disposal revealed that these suspected terrorists had smuggled in
the large quantity of explosives into Lagos in empty fuel tankers.”THISDAY further gathered that the terrorists had chosen that route to avoid suspicion, thereby blending with other tanker drivers on the roads to beat security checkpoints.
While admitting that terrorism all over the world cannot be won without the cooperation of the media, Ihejirika urged the Fourth Estate to always balance their reports before dissemination.
He maintained that the army hierarchy would continue to seek the attention of the media in propagating its activities, stressing that the relationship was a symbiotic one that would galvanise into a better Nigeria.
He refuted claims that the army had declared war on Nigerians, stating that its target was against some elements and groups who have chosen to declare war against Nigerians through their unscrupulous actions.
He added that when this happens, the army has no choice than to fight against such insurgents using all elements of war to protect the sovereignty of the country.
On discipline, he flayed the practice by military men who still disobey traffic laws, noting that henceforth any officer caught disobeying existing laws would be dealt with according to the laws.
On discipline, he flayed the practice by military men who still disobey traffic laws, noting that henceforth any officer caught disobeying existing laws would be dealt with according to the laws.
He said: “Discipline must be maintained, but the task of doing that is enormous. We don’t want to hear again that any soldier broke any traffic laws. We are greatly disturbed when an officer is involved in a traffic offence. We shall not take it lightly again.”
Obaigbena, who spoke on the topic “Enhancing Effective Relationship Between the Military and the Media in a Democratic Dispensation”, said there was need for improved relations between the media and the military.
He said: “You don't need money to engage the media. The only money you need is to pay your officers and men. When last did you brief the media in a proper televised manner? In your briefing, you must separate yourself from your political masters.
“You need an improved relationship with the media to be able to work efficiently. One of such ways is to have quarterly briefings with the media leadership as well as groom a corps of specialised defence reporters who are grounded in the beat.”
He refuted claims that about 90 per cent of defence stories in the media were false, adding that no grounded reporter would set out to carry false news thereby misleading the public.
He said: “The problem is that when situations arise, the military spokesman is often scared to react and then the reporter goes ahead with the story without the angle from the military.
“During the recent navy helicopter crash, rumours were flying up and down and we couldn't reach the spokesperson. So I called the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) who directed the spokesperson to react and a major source of misinformation was averted.
“You have to be more open. It’s a new world where we have the new media. You can be a part of it and reach out to the public and in that way build trust between the military and the society. Let us forget the past and build a new future.”
“You have to be more open. It’s a new world where we have the new media. You can be a part of it and reach out to the public and in that way build trust between the military and the society. Let us forget the past and build a new future.”
He however admitted that there is a capacity problem with the crop of reporters of the day, which he blamed on poor standards of education and low standards of things in the country.
He also called on the army to take into consideration retired personnel who are still strong enough to serve as a reservist corps.
“Retired personnel are often reservists whose knowledge can be called upon. They can be used in policy research and intelligence gathering,” Obaigbena admonished.
He further observed that considering the population of the country, an army of less than 200,000 officers and men is not good enough to serve a nation of 167 million people, and that a lot needed to be done to fight terrorism in the country.
He further observed that considering the population of the country, an army of less than 200,000 officers and men is not good enough to serve a nation of 167 million people, and that a lot needed to be done to fight terrorism in the country.
“No matter how good you are as an army, you are not above the people. You are a reflection of the society you serve. Therefore, you must tell your own story and build the confidence and trust of the population.
“The workings of the army should be technologically driven. Do you have drones to gather intelligence, do you have the wherewithal, equipment and trained personnel?
"Are you part of your communities? In this regard, the army should understand the culture and religion of the people in those communities to be able to deal with the enemy within.
“What we need now is a new Nigerian Army that earns the trust and respect of the Nigerian people in order to effectively deal with our internal security challenges,” he said.
