In Jos, Plateau State, during a national convention/retreat on civil society/military partnership in mitigating crises in North Central, organized by the Middle Belt Journalists Forum, MBJF, Gen. Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, highlighted the role of misinformation in shaping negative perceptions of the military and contributing to the rise in community violence.
Addressing the attendees, Gen. Musa emphasized the need for an understanding between the military and the communities where they are deployed. He pointed out that misinformation, particularly through social media, has distorted the public’s view of military operations and exacerbated the security challenges in the region.
Representing the CDS, Brigadier-General Michael Agi, the Chief of Staff at Operation Safe Haven, reiterated the military’s commitment to addressing misinformation and its detrimental impact on counterterrorism efforts. He assured the public of the armed forces’ neutrality in tackling the nation’s security challenges.
During the event, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, underscored the importance of collaboration between the government and the media in promoting peaceful coexistence. He shared that the state administration is actively involved in facilitating the return of internally displaced persons to their homes, through a dedicated committee.