Military: Why falsehood can not prevail

 
Falsehood, though a social discordance, has become trade for some unscrupulous elements of the society. More  worrisome is the  involvement of some media practitioners who are at the fore front of speeding lies in the name of journalism with out minding the repercussion of such to the society.
Before now, the media was an instrument for public enlightenment and education. It was also a tool for mass mobilization. In Nigeria and else where, the media played a vital role for gaining independence and other developmental strides. Regrettably, the media today is being highjacked by some unscrupulous elements for societal destruct. 
For instance, the recent redeployments carried out by the Nigerian Army has again elicited reactions from some certain quarters after a news medium in their opaque wisdom twisted the narrative in an attempt to mislead the general public into believing what is not the case. 
It is unfortunate that the likes of Sahara Reporters has consistently proven to strive on falsehood and malicious reportage which if not checked  could destroy Nigera’s unity. 


It is no secret that Sahara Reporters has turned itself to propaganda platform where the highest bidders with malicious motives are serviced. Its editorial style smacks a mockery of what journalism entails. Its writing style is unprofessional and lacks every sense of standard editing protocols. It’s more like a copy and pastes session where they are eager to publish in return for their paycheck. 
This brings me to the recent publication by the same Sahara Reporters wherein it stated mischievously that the recent redeployment of the Theater Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole in North-East Nigeria by the Nigerian Army was done because Major General Olusegun Adeniyi complained and exposed the inefficiencies of the operations of the Nigerian Army in North-East Nigeria. 


This was not surprising coming from the stable of Sahara Reporters. But the challenge here is the fact that the news medium would elect to pass such falsehood to the unsuspecting general public with so much impunity, not minding whose ox is gored.    
Funny as it might sound, Sahara Reporters is not conversant with military operations, and as such, it is smacks of a mockery for it to attempt to blackmail the Nigerian Military for a purely military action. I am constrained to pen this article to put issues in proper perspectives as one conversant with the operations of the Nigerian Military with regards to promotions, demotions, appointments, and redeployments. 
Its worth of note that there are standard procedures in the Nigerian Military with regards to the above mentioned. The operational strategies of the Military are always subjected to routine appraisals, and based on reviews, such things as promotions, deployments, and the likes are effected in boosting the operational effectiveness of the force. 
It is standard procedure, not just in the Nigerian Military, for occasional rotation of officers in their various commands. This is so because when an officer stays too long in a duty post, there is a tendency for such officer to get compromised in the cause of the discharge of their duties. This practice is not just restricted to Nigeria but the world over. This is easily verifiable. 
So, that Sahara Reporters sees the redeployment of Major General Olusegun Adeniyi as witch-hunting is a function of two variables. One is the fact that they must have acted in crass ignorance of standard military practice, and two, they carried out the instructions of their paymasters to cause disaffection in the polity. 


Either of the above, their action is quite despicable and capable of causing unrest in the country. And not just that, their actions can go a long way in causing mutiny in the Nigerian Military for very obvious reasons. It must be stated that since the formation of Operation Lafiya Dole in North-East Nigeria, scores of commanders have been appointed and replaced by the military hierarchy in line with standard practice. And this standard practice was what led to the appointment of Major General Olusegun Adeniyi in August of 2019 when he took over from Major General Benson Akinroluyo. 
It also suffices to add that Major General Olusegun Adeniyi has been in the theatre of operations in Maiduguri for a while. He was the deputy theatre commander to Major General Benson Akinroluyo, whom he subsequently took over from as commander in 2019. So in a way, the narrative been pushed by Sahara Reporters is not only defective, but it is also of poor taste given the fact that Major General Olusegun Adeniyi has been in the theatre of operations for over four years as deputy theatre commander and subsequently as commander. 


I must emphasize that, this is the standard practice, and this much as seen to the various rotations of officers across military formations in the country. Mind you; the recent redeployments didn’t affect Major General Olusegun Adeniyi alone as scores of officers were also affected. 
The public ought to be   aware and Sahara Reporters desist from crucifying the Nigerian Military for no justifiable reason. It must also do well to learn not to delve into issues that are routine military practice the world over. It is, therefore, my considered opinion that this is not a time to play to the gallery. They can continue their money for stories regime, but I beg that the Nigerian Military is spared their shenanigans. 

Considering the magnitude of the task at hand, all well meaning citizens would realise that there is need for serious concentration, and this much Sahara Reporters must realize and come to terms with. They should also do well to educate their paymasters that spreading falsehood against the Military serves no good now and always. 
A cursory assessment of Sahara Reporters reportage on issues especially in recent times reveals it all that they are paid to do hatchet job. This much the public must know and disregard the tissues of lies it dishes out under the pretext of journalism.
Adamu Kabir, writes from Maiduguri, Borno State.

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