Misinformation is identified as the root cause of the misconceptions about the military and the increase in community violence, according to the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa.
He made this assertion during a national convention/retreat on civil society/military partnership in mitigating crises in North Central, organized by the Middle Belt Journalists Forum, MBJF, in Jos, Plateau State.
General Musa emphasized that the military remains impartial and called for mutual understanding between soldiers and the host communities where they are stationed to work.
The CDS, who was represented by the Chief of Staff at Operation Safe Haven, OPSH, Brigadier-General Michael Agi, said: “You have resolved to be a part of a sustainable effort to clear either the misinformation or effects of fake news, especially in the social media, which is largely accountable for the wrong perceptions of the military and the escalations of killings in the region.
“This retreat is coming at the right time when misinformation about our operations is undermining our strong determination to end terrorism and banditry.
“Let me assure Nigerians of the neutrality of the armed forces in dealing with ugly challenges facing the nation generally and the region in particular.’’
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, in his remarks, said his administration was working closely with members of the pen profession towards promoting peaceful coexistence among the people, irrespective of any affiliation.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Information and Communication, Samuel Tsoho, the governor disclosed that a committee that would chart a way of returning internally displaced persons, IDPs, to their original place of abode was in place.
