Don’t Dampen Morale of Our Troops with Unfair Commentary, CISA Cautions Critics, Media

Don’t Dampen Morale of Our Troops with Unfair Commentary, CISA Cautions Critics, Media

The Citizens Initiative for Security Awareness (CISA) has urged critics of military operations to strive in balancing their analysis and commentaries, so as not to dampen the morale of troops prosecuting the war against insurgency, banditry and other crimes, perpetrated across the country.

National Coordinator of CISA, Mr. Chidi Omeje, on Tuesday, said Nigerians have the right to demand a quick end to the menace of terrorism and banditry in the country, while holding the government to account on how the various internal security operations are being prosecuted by our fighting forces.

He however said they must assess and evaluate those efforts with open mind and with the full understanding of the dynamics of security challenges assailing the country. Omeje, spoke in Abuja during a world press conference on national security, adding that CISA urges Nigerians who are only interested in projecting and parroting setbacks and challenges encountered by our military to also join them in supporting and celebrating the various wins being recorded almost on daily basis by the troops against the country’s adversaries, even in the face of many challenges.

He noted that in spite of certain orchestrated negative reviews of the military by some detractors, most fair-minded Nigerians who are watching and assessing the trajectory of the security challenges across the country and the efforts of those combating them, are confident that soon the challenges will be surmounted.

According to him, CISA is strongly of the opinion that Nigerians, especially media commentators must show balance in their coverage, reportage or analysis of military’s operations nationwide, in order to inspire hope and confidence on the people and boost the moral and fighting spirit of gallant troops.

“We urge that on no account must politics or any parochial consideration compel citizens to thumb down the sacrifice and commitment of our troops. “CISA is happy to note that our fighting forces have remained resilient, committed and confident in prosecuting the various internal security operations across the country. Our troops have consistently shown that they are more than capable of defending our country from external aggression or internal insurrection,” Mr. Omeje said.

Continuing, he added: “This is in spite of the numerous challenges ranging from internal and external sabotage, lack of information, poor funding, inadequate boots on the ground, media trial by rent seeking politicians and sundry distractions. “CISA has noted with satisfaction, the current efficient synergy between the troops on the ground and air component of the various theaters of operation.

The current momentum has ensured robust engagement of the adversary and obliteration of their sanctuaries. “The Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force coordination delivers massive assault on Boko Haram/ISAWP terrorists operating in the north east and bandits in northwest and north central parts of the country.