ABUJA—The Chief Defence Staff, Air Marshal
Alex Badeh lamented yesterday that there were
too many “fifth columnists” in the armed forces,
and this has been responsible for some
conflicting information emanating from the
military.
Speaking at the opening of the Security/Media
Relations in Crisis Management seminar
organised by the office of the National Security
Adviser, he said some officers in the past gave
information that turned out to be false.
Referring to some information that was released
to the media in the wake of the abduction of the
Chibok girls last May, he said, “If your people
are misleading you, what do you do? There are
too many fifth columnists in the military. There
was a report which said we have seen some of
the Chibok girls, only eight are missing, it was a
very senior officer that gave that information
from Chibok area. That was when people started
saying henceforth, watch what Maj.-Gen.
Olukolade, Director, Defence Information says.
But he was misled by one of us. Anyway, we are
dealing with that situation ”, Badeh said.
Badeh also argued that what is happening in
Nigerian with regards to Boko Haram terrorism
is not different from what ISIS terrorist group is
doing in Syria and Iraq, noting that it was
therefore unfortunate the Nigerian military in
spite of taking the battle to the terrorists all
alone, was still receiving bashing from the
citizens.
“What is happening in Nigeria with Boko Haram
being so vicious and violent is not different with
what ISIS is doing in Syria and other places; but
all the world powers have gone there at
different times to bomb Iraq and Syria, but none
in Nigeria. The Nigerian military is all alone
dealing with the issue.
“The military has taken a lot of bashing from
everywhere but all of us know what we are going
through. Somebody rightly said that what is
happening with Boko Haram is a declaration of
war. I want to say that when nations go to war,
all elements of National power including the
media join hands to fight the war together”.
“The military is not omnipotent, the military is
not omnipresent; are you expecting the military
to go and drop a bomb that cost $15, 000 on
two people. Let us not give the enemies of
Nigeria the chance to make Nigeria become what
people (enemies) wanted. We can do this by
providing accurate information,” he said.
Badeh said the attitude of some Nigerians
towards the war on terror suggest that they are
against genuine intentions of the military to
flush out the terrorists and this gives the
impression that they sympathise with Boko
Haram insurgency with the aim of destabilising
the country.
His words, “We know that people do not like the
military, but they should realise that we are the
ones keeping this country together, and should
avoid giving the enemies the opportunity to
operate”.
Earlier, he told journalists to be guided by
national interest while reporting the ongoing
counter-insurgency operations in the North east
saying “though you may know many things
concerning the operations, you should not
report things that would hurt or create panic
among the people”.
The National Security Adviser, Col Sambo
Dasuki, on his part said insurgency was tearing
the country apart insisting that as long as the
media celebrated the activities of Boko Haram,
the fight against the insurgency would still be far
from being won.
His words: “Insurgency is tearing what holds our
country apart. Their activities are new not only
to Nigeria, but to the whole world. Media and
the security should work together to fight this
problem. The media should stop celebrating
their activities and ensure professionalism takes
priority in their reports, as a means to fighting
this insurgents.”
The NSA, who was represented by Prof. Soji
Adelaja, said it is what the local journalists
report that would go round the world and that
since negative occurrences make news, the
media should ensure that they report stories
that will portray the country in a good light.
“What this insurgents struggle to achieve is to
ensure that they get the media to do their bid
by manipulating and obstructing the truth about
what is going on. They manipulate pictures,
videos and other medium to create fear in the
hearts of the masses. The media has a great
role to play in this regards by ensuring that the
truth is told and the right video and pictures are
shown to members of the public”, he said.
He therefore called on the media to report
responsibly by not sending wrong information to
the public but report what will benefit the nation
as a whole.
Earlier in his goodwill message, former Chief of
Defense Staff and Chairman, Subsidy Re-
investment and Empowerment Programme,
SUREP, General Martin Luther Agwai had said
that for the battle of insurgents to be won,
there must be effective and efficient
communication between the security and the
media.
Agwai expressed optimism that the collaboration
between the media and the security will fast-
track peace and tranquility into the country.
Other speakers at the seminar included the
Director of Defence Information, Major General
Chris Olukolade, Professor Pat Utomi, Dr. Tonie
Iredia.

source: www.vanguardngr.com/2014/10/insurgency-many-fifth-columnists-military-badeh/

Well said Badeh, the enemies of Nigeria are within.

mrborntodoit:
Well said Badeh, the enemies of Nigeria are within.

very close

If only the military had a credible public relations, they wouldn't have given the media a field day. Ensure that Nigerians get credible and verifiable news from the military, then watch how irrelevant useless media outfits/hungry journalists would fizzle out.

miclan2:
If only the military had a credible public relations, they wouldn't have given the media a field day. Ensure that Nigerians get credible and verifiable news from the military, then watch how irrelevant useless media outfits/hungry journalists would fizzle out.

yes thats the truth but i dont support the idea of revealing each move to civilians

How can we join you in fighting a war we know nothing about, the military PR is just too poor that anything we hear from this " fifth columnist" we just have to believe

kudos to the military

The military should be supported by the media and given the space to practice for our own good.

The media should remember that they are Nigerians not boko people.

If the media gives boko upper hand by promoting them,then Naija will be like Iraq where you,your wives and mother will carry the guns to face the terrorists yourselves.

This is a war,play your role to defeat the enemy,it is not a game where you play an umpire.

Stop being educated fools,and keep your f-cking opinion to urself just do the needful so we win this war.

The man has a point though. Many foreign countries including nigeria sent forces to mali when they had similar problem.
That doesn't mean the military shouldn't improve on their performance.

Hello Mr Baden!
How much is $15000 when you are talking about national security?
But I know you guys would rather line your pockets with such amount for beer and pepper soup and you wonder why the whole war is going to the dogs!

You can drop a million dollar bomb on a threat and save yourselves countless lives in the future.

American Tomahawk and hellfire missiles cost about $1000000 (one million) and they readily use it on a single credible threat, go and ask Anwar Awlaki?

This are the words of Obama after roasting Awlaki:

"The death of Awlaki is a major blow to Al-Qaeda's most active operational affiliate. He took the lead in planning and directing efforts to murder innocent Americans … and he repeatedly called on individuals in the United States and around the globe to kill innocent men, women and children to advance a murderous agenda. [The strike] is further proof that Al-Qaeda and its affiliates will find no safe haven anywhere in the world"
OBAMA

With our own sets of people in command I'm afraid the war will still take many years !

Such a stone age thought in the midst of modern warfare

Enemies and Sympathizers of Boko Haram;

Sahara reporters and APC comes to mind!.

Rubbish! So the truth should be hidden? What they are trying to say is if the military mess up, then do not report it. If you do, you are "sympathising" with the enemy? Rubbish!

XketchDesigns:
Rubbish! So the truth should be hidden? What they are trying to say is if the military mess up, then do not report it. If you do, you are "sympathising" with the enemy? Rubbish!

I didn't read where it was reported that the truth should be hidden.
Army is saying,'don't make your reportage,a tool to demoralize the soldiers,or a tool for boko haram,to continue their tfrror'
read the report again!

What a myopic statement coming from the CDS. Who is asking the NA to use $15000 bomb on BH. If BH can be using lesser sophisticated IED to cause carnages all over the country, what is stopping the NA from manufacturing their own IED.

They can keep all those $15,000 bombs for the war museum.
A slight research reveals there are different types of bombs and Grenades that can suit into terrorism war and the cost ranges from $150 - $3,000/unit depending on types and coverage. Please get those ones and keep the $15,000 own.