Sensational Reportage  ‘ll Jeopardise Nigeria’s Security, CSO Warns

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Centre for Advancement of Peace, Security and Social Development (CAPSSD) has warned that the spate of highly sensational and promotional articles published in national dailies against security agencies was capable of jeopardising the country’s security

Its Executive Director, Mallam Mustapha Funtua, in a statement issued yesterday  cautioned that the trend if not quickly checked, would cause disaffection among the security agencies.

The group noted  that intelligence gathering and security operations are private and secret undertakings, adding that deliberately exposing the names of serving officers in missions and publishing details of their actions was tantamount to leaking classified information to the enemy.

It said: “Our attention has been drawn to series of highly sensational and promotional articles published in national dailies recently, and as     a CSO that seeks to monitor and advocate for effective peace building and sustainable social development in the country, it has become imperative to raise the alarm over what we see as deliberate attempts to cause disaffection and endanger the synergy amongst Security chiefs and their foot soldiers across the country.”

The group expressed dismay with the media coverage of sensitive personnel and units in our security architecture. It said the perpetrators of this act are intentional in causing disaffection among the security chiefs, saying this was dangerous to the fragile security situation and must not be allowed to go unchecked.

It added: “It has become necessary for the Army, the Police and other security agencies to tighten their grip over sensitive information as many people are now abusing the privilege that comes with free flow of information under the Freedom of Information Act.”

The group therefore, called on the media to vet the information published through their platforms very well before allowing it to reach the public and enjoined the media to desist from creating the impression that only few persons or security agencies are working since security is a team work and cannot be effectively prosecuted by just one team or group of persons.