Coalition of Civil Society Groups Against Terrorism in Nigeria has petitioned the National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and others against Sahara Reporters over continuous use of fake news, propaganda and falsehood in perpetrating lies and unfounded reports and publications against Nigeria’s security agencies, especially the Nigerian Army and its leadership
The coalition in a statement signed by the convener ,comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi and Barrister John Atani
Secretary said Sahara Reporters and its promoters are being used by some local and foreign interest to distract and undermine the Nigerian Army and its leadership while using the platform of Sahara Reporters to disseminate fake news and false narratives against the country.
Copy to:
President of the Senate
Speaker House of Representatives
Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF)
Honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation
Honourable Minister of Defence
Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation
Chief of Defence Staff
Chief of Army Staff (COAS)
Inspector General of Police
DG National Intelligence Agency
Chief of Defense Intelligence (CDI).
DG Department of State Services (DG DSS).
The President, Nigeria Union of Journalists
Dear Sir,
PETITION ON THE CONTINUED MEDIA INTERFERENCE AND CAMPAIGN OF CALUMNY AGAINST THE NIGERIAN ARMY BY SAHARA REPORTERS
(1) Sir, we the Coalition of Civil Society Groups Against Terrorism in Nigeria, bring you solidarity greetings and respectfully petition your good office, to please immediately act on behalf of our teeming members who are patriotic Nigerians, by taking steps towards stopping the continued blitz by an online media organization, Sahara Reporters and its publisher, one Mr Omoyele Sowore.
He is a highly partisan individual, who has continued to employ the use of fake news, propaganda and falsehood in perpetrating lies and unfounded reports and publications against Nigeria’s security agencies, especially the Nigerian Army and its leadership, on classified matters involving the operational approaches of our military and other security agencies in the ongoing war against the remnants of the degraded Boko Haram terrorist group, bandits and all other enablers of violent crimes in the country.
(2) Sir, as can be confirmed from a series of publications and reports by Sahara Reporters against the Nigerian Army, there is an indication of a strong sinister motive to undermine our nation’s national security policies through the instrumentality of fake news and to also destabilize our sustained efforts aimed at eradicating all forms of terror, violence and separatist activities which are threatening the unity and development of Nigeria.
(3) Sir, as patriotic Nigerians, we are increasingly worried about the various antics and activities of the platform Sahara Reporters and its promoters to incite Nigerians against the Nigerian Army and its leadership. It is becoming obvious that Sahara Reporters and its promoters have constituted themselves into a major opposition to the Nigerian State and our security agencies.
(4) Sir, we are really worried, and want to passionately appeal to your good office to interogate the actual motives of the promoters of Sahara Reporters and its persistent destructive criticism of our security forces, who have spent the last few years working sometimes in extreme conditions towards ensuring that all forms of terrorism and violent crimes in the country are brought to a halt.
(5) Sir, as an independent non-govermental coalition, our observation shows that Sahara Reporters and its promoters are being used by some local and foreign interest to distract and undermine the Nigerian Army and its leadership while using the platform of Sahara Reporters to disseminate fake news and false narratives against the country, the Nigerian Army and more importantly to incite the personnel of the force against its leadership.
(6) Sir, we believe that broadcasting is meant to positively influence the society, set agenda for the social, cultural, economic, political and technological development of the society for the public good. We are also aware that the responsibility of any broadcaster is to inform, educate and entertain its audience, but not at the expense of national security and interest, unity and cohesion of Nigeria’s incredible diversity.
(7) Sir, there are clear indications that Sahara Reporters and its promoters are on a deliberate mission to sabotage our nation’s security policies by tacitly using its platform to initiate frivolous lies and unfounded accusations against the Nigerian Army and its leadership with a view to cause apathy between the Nigerian people and the Nigerian Army. This was the same c
(8) We also want you to note from our critical analysis of events, that whenever the criminal elements are dealth a serious blow by our gallant troops, Sahara Reporters will immediately release spurious allegations against our troops and their leaders. This often results in a hightened tempo of criminality in some flash points within the country. We have further observed that Sahara Reporters plays a sinister role of according commendation and undeserved protection to criminal gangs terrorising our country and her people. This grossly unpatriotic act will gradually erode people’s confidence in the Nigerian Army, if drastic action is not taken.
(9) Sir, we therefore consider the many frivolous publications by Sahara Reporters against our nation’s security agencies especially the Nigerian Army as a direct attack, since the end state is not to advance the cause of the rights of our people, but rather to push narratives aimed at frustrating our security agencies thereby frustrating their efforts at defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
(10) Sir, the leadership of the Nigerian Army under Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has the enormous support of majority of the Nigerian people at all times, going by the strong commitment of officers and men of the Nigerian Army towards protecting our lives and properties. These acts of patriotism have therefore increased our conviction about the resolve of the Nigerian Army under the COAS General Lagbaja to keep fighting for the unity and progress of our country and mutual coexistence, irrespective of the various attempts to distract them through propaganda and frivolous publications.
(11) Sir, we appeal to you to use your good office to treat Sahara Reporters and its promoters as an entity of interest and an enemy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who should not be allowed to continue their nefarious, seditious publictions, and subversive media operations again in Nigeria.
(12) Sir, by this petition we restate our unalloyed support and solidarity for the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), his administration and his Renewed Hope Agenda to transform Nigeria into a true
giant of Africa.
A stitch in time saves nine.
Thank you sir.
Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi (Convener)
Barrister John Atani
(Secretary)
