By Mohammed Munirat Nasir
Newly appointed Force Commander, Operation Sharan Daji, the joint military operation set up to fight banditry in Zamfara state, Major Gen. Stevenson Olabanji has solicited the support and partnership with the media for the success of the operation.
Gen. Olabanji who is also the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the newly established 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Sokoto, Northwest of the country, made the call during an interactive session with journalists in Gusau, the Zamfara state capital.
He said the main task of the operation is the restoration of peace by fighting the bandits and other criminals to standstill in Zamfara state and that the media is a vital tool which could lead to the restoration of sustainable peace in the state.
“We will sustain this gesture by having the interactive sessions with the media from time to time, to keep the media abreast with our activities,’’ he said.
The Force Commander said the era of always using the Army for subjugation is over as the Army is now public relationship oriented.
“In line with the directive from the President for a more robust Nigerian Army with good public relations to build confidence in the people, this partnership with the media will go a long way in making operations more easier and efficient”, he assured.
The Acting Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zamfara State Council, Malam Abubakar Ahmed, said interactions with media practitioners by stakeholders make their duties easier.
“This is a welcome development and this partnership will make us to be getting information for a balance reportage”, he said.
The Operation was formerly under One Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna before it was recently transferred to the newly established 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Sokoto.
https://www.africaprimenews.com/2018/03/25/security/nigerian-army-to-deal-with-citizens-caught-with-arms-official/