The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Auwalu Mahmuda, on Wednesday urged journalists to always verify information with the military before publishing, warning that unverified reports could cause irreparable damage.
Mahmuda gave the warning when the executives and members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, paid a courtesy visit to him at the Division’s Headquarters in Ibadan.
He said misinformation and fake news could only be effectively tackled through stronger collaboration between the media and the military, stressing that journalists had a responsibility to confirm the accuracy of information before putting it in the public domain.
“I will appeal to you to avoid publishing information without first confirming its exact and true nature with the military.
“Sometimes, when unverified information is released, it can cause more harm than the information it intended to address,” he said.
The GOC expressed concern that some journalists sometimes published information without adequate verification, noting that misinformation could spread rapidly and cause irreparable damage.
He urged members of the Correspondents Chapel to see the Nigerian Army as a partner while also demonstrating professionalism in their reportage of security-related issues.
“I want to reassure you that the Nigerian Army sees journalists as partners, but they are also expected to play their part in demonstrating clearly that they are partners of the Nigerian Army,” Mahmuda said.
He also appealed for stronger collaboration between the Army and the media in enlightening members of the public about the efforts of security agencies to tackle insecurity across the country.
Mahmuda commended journalists for the risks they take in gathering and reporting information, noting that many journalists venture into dangerous locations where other civilians would not dare to go.
“I have seen journalists go to places where other civilians dare not set their foot. They put themselves in difficult and dangerous situations simply to obtain accurate information that can be shared with the public,” he said.
The GOC assured the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Division’s support, particularly in the areas of training and medical outreach, ahead of the chapel’s forthcoming press week.
He also commended members of the chapel for consistently reporting the activities and contributions of the 2 Division to national development.
Mahmuda stressed that both the military and the media, despite their different roles, were working towards the development and success of Nigeria.
“We are all Nigerians, irrespective of the fact that some of us wear uniforms. I believe that, whatever we are doing, we are all working towards the success and development of this country,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Chapel, Mr Yinka Adeniran,lauded the 2 Division for its efforts in maintaining security in the region.
Adeniran acknowledged the successful rescue of victims of the Oriire kidnapping incident, describing it as one of the notable interventions by the Division.
He appealed to the Nigerian Army to support the chapel’s forthcoming press week, particularly through lectures, medical outreach and other activities designed to benefit its members.
