The Nigerian Army has instructed its troops across the country to operate strictly within the rules of engagement to enhance national security.
This directive was conveyed by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, through Major General Nosakhare C. Ugbo, the Chief of Civil Military Affairs, during a sensitization workshop held in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State, on Thursday, 13 June, 2024.
The workshop was organized by the Nigerian Army to strengthen the relationship between the military and civilians.
Lieutenant General Lagbaja emphasized the importance of Army troops adhering to the law to protect human rights and promote effective civil-military coordination.
He highlighted that this adherence would build trust and confidence among Nigerian citizens.
“As you carry out your constitutional duties in dealing with terrorists and other criminals, you must ensure the protection of lives and property of law-abiding civilians, as they will appreciate your professionalism,” he stated.
During the event, Major General Godwin M. Mutkut, the Commanding Officer of the 8 Division and Force Commander of the Joint Task Force Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD), addressed social media handlers, urging them to act as patriotic citizens when sharing information publicly.
He emphasized the importance of avoiding the spread of fake news and unverified reports regarding casualties and locations of incidents.
“The Nigerian Army needs patriotic citizens as much as they need the interventions of our troops in their communities affected by terrorists and criminals,” he said.
The workshop featured presentations from invited resource persons who educated the social media handlers on the dangers of posting unverified information that could harm national security and cause unrest in affected communities.
