The Nigerian Military have warned Journalists to desist from entering Chibok, where 234 girls were kidnapped as well as security conscious areas, as “any unsavoury outcome of such movement” will not be blamed on the military.
This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Defence spokesman, Major General Chris Olukolade.
According to him “The Defence Headquarters has noted the presence of a large number of tourists, journalists and adventurers of diverse interests moving about in areas where security operations are currently ongoing especially in Adamawa and Borno States without the necessary security cover or clearance. This trend constitutes unnecessary risk to the persons especially the foreigners involved. It is also an undue obstruction to operations,”
He stated that though the military has nothing to hide in their operations, people visiting the area should know that there are operational areas, while promising to protect people whose movement is “duly vetted and in line with development in the security situation on ground in particular mission area”.
“Much as the military has nothing to hide and believes in the freedom of movement in the country. Anyone violating the existing procedures for coverage or movement in the mission area does so at his or her own peril as the security forces should not be held responsible for any unsavoury outcome of such movement. The general public is hereby informed that obstructive, suspicious or risky movement of visitors will not be condoned in any mission and operational area in the country, Chris warned.
