President Buhari orders military to vacate Media Trust; Army explains invasion; IPC, Timi Franks condemn onslaught
By Abdullahi Isah, Maiduguri, Robert Awokuse
President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the military to vacate the premises of Daily Trust Newspapers in Abuja and its regional office in Maiduguri that were sealed on Sunday by armed military personnel.
This was revealed by a presidential spokesman even as the military stated reasons why they invaded the premises of the media organization.
According to the Nigerian Army, they invaded newspapers’ office in Maiduguri and Abuja to invite them in respect to their lead story of Sunday Trust which divulged classified information concerning military operations, thereby undermining national security.
The Army in a statement issued by its Director, Army Public Relations (DAPR), Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka said “the newspaper disclosed details of planned military operations against the Boko Haram terrorists. The disclosure of classified security information amounts to a breach of national security and runs contrary to Sections 1 and 2 of the Official Secrets Act. It afforded the Boko Haram terrorists prior notice of our plans and gave them early warning to prepare against the Nigerian military, thus sabotaging the planned operations and putting the lives of troops in imminent and clear danger.
“We would like to state that soldiers of the Nigerian Army along with elements of Nigeria Police Force and other Security Agencies were indeed at Abuja and Maiduguri offices of the publishing company to invite the staff of the company over its lead story on Sunday Trust publication, which divulged classified military information, thus undermining national security,” Kukasheka said.
.The statement further said “we would like to state that the invitation of those responsible for divulging military plans was done with the best of intention in order to make them realise the import of such acts to our national security.”
The Army therefore advised all, particularly journalists, not to worry but to be professional as the Nigerian Army has no intention of muzzling the press or jeopardising press freedom. He, however, enjoined further that the media should not jeopardize national security in their reportage, as the Army would not tolerate a situation where a publication would consistently side with terrorists and undermine National institutions.
“We wish to appeal to all, especially the media, to join hands with the Nigerian military and security forces to end terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria. We would like to further assure that the invitation is for further investigation and if need be, all those culpable of jeopardising operations security will be prosecuted by the relevant law enforcement agency,” the stated further stressed.
Speaking on telephone with Nigeria’s Channels Television on Sunday, the Defence Spokesman, John Agim, also said the invasion was not to stop the press from doing their job but because the medium through its publication revealed the plans of the military in fighting insurgency.
“I think it is completely unacceptable for any media house to have information about the military plan on the fight against insurgency and publish such plans,” Agim said.
“Boko Haram terrorists will be informed ahead of time and that also shows that they (Daily Trust) are sympathetic to the insurgents and the intention was just to invite them and let them understand the dangers their action puts on the military.
“So, the intention is not to stop the press from doing their job. They need to understand that without peace and security in the land, they cannot perform their job. So for everybody who has information, there’s a need to check with the security agencies before they publish such because releasing such information ahead of time can jeopardize the operation”.
Notwithstanding, the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria, has condemned in strong terms, the forceful closure of Daily Trust Newspapers’ head office in Abuja and the Maiduguri office by military personnel on Sunday January 6, 2019.
A statement signed by IPC’s Director, Lanre Arogundade said the Centre “considers this development as a fresh threat to freedom of the press as well as the freedom and individual liberties of journalists and other media professionals working in Daily Trust.
“The action of the military is also a threat to democracy with the presidential elections, less than two months away.
“The military is bound by the laws of the land and cannot in any circumstance be allowed to resort to extra judicial measures no matter its grievances”.
The army stormed the newspaper’s headquarters over a publication concerning military operations in North Eastern Nigeria.
Attack on Daily Trust, Galadima: Buhari’s govt becoming more desperate – Timi Frank
Also reacting, former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Timi Frank, said the recent developments where armed military personnel attacked offices of Daily Trust Newspapers and the attempt to assassinate Engr. Buba Galadima, have further revealed the dictatorial tendencies and desperation of the current administration.
Frank, who maintained that both media and private citizens have lost their rights to publish or express themselves under President Buhari’s administration, said the development brings to mind Decree 4 of 1982 under the same Buhari government, during his first stint as military head of state.
In a statement signed in Abuja on Monday, and made available to Global Patriot Newspapers, GPN, Frank, who condemned in strong terms both the invasion of Daily Trust offices and attempt to assassinate Engr. Galadima on Sunday, said it is apt for Nigerians to listen to Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi’s leaked audio about the president’s mindset.
He called on Nigerians to take the opportunity of the forthcoming elections to put an end to the dictatorial tendencies of the Buhari-led APC government in Nigeria.
The APC’s former Deputy National Publicity Secretary said if Amaechi, who is close to the president could reveal that President Buhari does not read nor listen to anybody, in a democratic system of government, Nigerians should be united in rejecting the re-election bid of such an administration.
“While I condemn in totality all attempts to silence the media by invading offices of Daily Trust to send fear into the minds of other media organisations, the APC administration should know that without the media there is no democracy.
“The right to function by the media is boldly stated in the constitution. The failure of APC administration in ensuring security of lives and property should not be blamed on the media. It is also the responsibility of the media to expose all evils and failures of a government, hence the Daily Trust should be commended for upholding the rights of citizens to know all things including the obvious failure in fighting Boko Haram.”
On the reported attack on one of the opposition leaders, Engr. Galadima, Frank said: “The Buhari government will be held responsible if anything evil happens to Galadima because the government was rattled over some recent revelations Galadima made about the Buhari administration, hence the desperation to kill him.”
Frank noted that the Buhari administration is using government apparatus to suppress the truth and put fears in the minds of few courageous citizens who could speak out the truth.
“Prince Deji Adeyanju criticised the APC administration, he was sent to prison. Senator Dino Melaye pointed out some evils in Buhari’s government, he is being persecuted. Engr. Buba Galaduma, who has expressed his opposition to Buhari’s re-election bid is being hunted by assassins.
“Both the media and private individuals considered to have information against the government must prepare to face more tough times until Nigerians end this evil government through their votes in the coming elections,” Frank stated.
He further warned the military to stay off politics and think of ways to tackle the security challenge in the Northeast.
He called on the international community not to keep quiet over the recent developments in the country as Nigeria prepares for another general election.
