The Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Tukur Buratai on Thursday said allegations of lack of equipment and non -payment of allowances to troops in the war fronts are ill-conceived and misleading.
He said the allegations were part of the campaigns of calumny against the army to dampen morale of troops.
He urged the media to see through the psychological warfare of the insurgents and their international and local collaborators.
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Mr Buratai made the remarks at the opening ceremony of Nigerian Army Conference for Editors at Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja.
The Army Chief appealed to the editors to support the military in the war against Boko Haram terrorists, asserting it was not meant for the military alone.
According to him: “It is important to note that the leakage of vital information on military operation like the on-going fight against the Boko Haram terrorists is inimical to national security as this will give our position to the terrorists and give them upper hand in their psychological war against the troops.
“I made it clear that it is imperative to check the spate of terrorists’ propaganda which is inimical to the successful implementation of the counterinsurgency campaign.
“Additionally, I also reaffirmed that terrorists thrive on publicity to misinform the public, instil fear in the minds of the people and dampen troops’ morale.
“Furthermore, the allegations of human rights abuses against the military by Amnesty International, allegations of lack of equipment and non-payment of allowances to troops are ill-conceived and misleading.”
He went on: “The war against terrorism should be a collective responsibility for all, and not just a war between the army and the terrorist groups.
“The war needs to be reported as it is, and therefore, the media need to enlighten the people to understand the true situation and support the military.
“The impact of the terrorists’ propaganda was one of the major challenges facing the military by discouraging and dampening morale of the troops in the frontline.”
