“Daily Trust attempted to jeopardise fight against Boko Haram” – Military defends shutdown
The military has attempted to defend its clampdown on Daily Trust’s offices and members of staff at the weekend.
The authorities claim the media outfit published classified information in relation to its fight against Boko Haram terrorists.
Soldiers appeared at the Daily Trust offices in Abuja, Maiduguri, Borno state capital, and Lagos on Sunday, and the action quickly drew public outrage. Many say Buhari’s government was not allowing press freedom.
The FG, responding to the outrage, ordered soldiers to vacate the buildings.
Defence Headquarters spokesperson John Agim said on Channels Sunday night that the newspaper published “the military’s plan on the fight against insurgency”.
Agim said revelation of the military’s plan had grave consequences on its strive to conquer the rampaging terrorists.
“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,” he 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 jeopardise the operation.”
