By Daniels Nwokike.
The Director of Defense Information (DDI), Major General John Enenche has solicited for the support of the local media in disseminating accurate information to the public as it concerns the activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).
The DDI who made this plea in an interactive session with newsmen on Thursday in Abuja,used the session to brief newsmen on the several activities of the AFN in the six geopolitical zones of the country, the international arena and other security matters.
While speaking on the North East, North Central and North West respectively, he said the AFN through Op LAFIYA DOLE has been able to decimate and degrade the Boko Haram terrorists from their terrogensic activity to splinter acts of terrorism here and there mostly within Borno State, adding that clearance operation is on going jointly by the AFN to eliminate both active and passive acts of terrorism in the North East.
According to him; “It is worthy of note that some countries such as Britain, USA and France among others provided one form of assistance to the military in our effort so far in the North East. It is hoped that the collaboration would continue to ensure that the evil of terrorism is eliminated from Nigeria and equally degraded globally”. The DDI also noted that Op SAFE HAVEN which is being conducted in the North Central zone with the epicenter in Plateau State, is aimed at curtailing incessant ethno-religious crisis, combating cattle rustling, armed robbery, sectarian crisis and erstwhile attacks by boko haram among others.
He enthused that relative peace has returned particularly to Plateau State, adding that it is necessary to sustain this effort through encouragement by the State Government.
He added that; “The support of the Government to the Task Force is highly appreciated by the Nigerian military, leaders in various categories in other states of the country are requested to emulate those of Plateau State to facilitate peaceful co-existence and security of lives and property”. Speaking on the success of Op SHARAN DAJI which is the joint operation by the AFN to curtail banditry and cattle rustling in particular among others in the North West, he disclosed that the activities of the criminals have been checkmated tremendously.
In his word; “It is highly desirable to point out here, that a good number of criminals that were engaged in these activities embraced the amnesty offer by Zamfara State Government. It is expected that, other states in the North West would emulate Zamfara State, so that this wickedness of criminality is eradicated from the zone in particular and Nigeria in general”.
He further noted that the main operation in South-West, Op AWATSE which is aimed at curbing pipeline vandalism and petroleum products related criminality with negative socio-economic consequence for the country, is currently ongoing, stressing that surveillance is key to the success of the military in this operation, which he said is based on accurate and timely intelligence and information.
He also clarified that; “Operation DELTA SAFE is ongoing in the South South and South East to stem the activities of oil thieves and other criminalities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. In this regard, several illegal refineries, and other illegal bunkering activities have been curtailed. It is hoped that with the proposal of the Federal Government to encourage the illegal refiners to regularize and legalise their ventures, there would be a reduction if not eradication of this economic crime among the other criminalities in the Niger Delta region”.
On International Operations, Major General Enenche stated that the Nigeria Armed Forces are participating in different Peace Support Operations(PSOs) under the auspices of UN which has brought commendation for the AFN and the country at large, adding that the recent activities of ECOMIG to ensure the continuity of democracy in Gambia is highly commendable and further solicited for the support of the local media for a far reaching effect internationally and at the UN.
The DDI further charged newsmen to always echo the successes of the AFN and to ensure a positive and balanced reportage of their activities in order not to expose the public to distorted information but to keep them better informed.
