Nigerian Army
Police, Army
Nigerian Army
Police, Army Could’ve Managed Taraba Killing Better,
says CCC Boss
The way and manner both the Nigerian Army (NA) and the Nigerian
Police Force (NPF) managed the alleged killing of three Police
detectives by some soldiers, early this month in Ibbi, Taraba
State, leaves much to be desired, even as it terribly dented the
image of the two security agencies, says Air Commodore Yusuf Anas
(Red).
He however, maintained that the delicate situation could have
been better managed without resort to media attacks by both
agencies.
Commodore Anas, who is the Executive Secretary of the Centre for
Crisis Communication (CCC) in Abuja, made this assertion at the
opening ceremony of the five-day “Directorate of Army Public
Relations Third Quarter Study Period 2019′.
He was a discussant at the event holding at NA’s 1 Division in
Kaduna.
The retired Nigerian Air Force (NAF) senior officer, maintained
that if proper coordination and strategic communication mechanism
had been deployed by the two security institutions, the incident
will not have degenerated badly, hence creating ill-will between
the Police and the Army.
He bemoaned the situation when security agencies institutions
come out in public and begin to trade blames and scathing
counter-accusations over an unfortunate incident, when they are
actually supposed to work in synergy and mutual collaboration.
He pointed out that both the Army and Police are critical
agencies saddled with the responsibility of providing maximum
security for teeming Nigerians and the country itself.
Thus, they should eschew acts that not only smear their
institutional reputations, but that of the nation, at large.
Speaking on “Crisis Communication Approaches to Tackling
Security Challenges,” a former Director Defence Information (DDI),
Major-General Chris Olukolade, said though the wave of kidnapping,
banditry and insurgency, among others, are threatening Nigeria’s
corporate entity, it is heartwarming that several military
operations were successfully and are still being launched to quell
the spate of violent upheavals across the country.
Maintaining that information flow if not properly managed will
undermine national security, General Olukolade, noted that
Government and organisations must install processes that will
guarantee a smooth flow of information through using simple methods
to communicate complex security issues, challenges and
problems.
He said there is need for due provision of communication
activities to be built into plans for the prevention or handling of
crisis situations, adding that lack of preparation to quickly
communicate and provide clear explanations for crises often leads
to hostile reactions from the public.
Olukolade, who explained that effective information management
strategy must be proactive in conception and implementation,
posited that easy access to information by the media is germane to
the implementation of the information strategies.
Declaring the event open, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS),
Lieutenant-General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, charged the participants to
actively listen and fully participate in the study period, saying
the essence of organizing the event is to broaden their capacity
and also enhance their professionalism in the course of duty.
Buratai, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding
(GOC) 1 Division, Major-General Faruq Yahaya, assured that key
recommendations made by resource persons at the ‘special’ event
will be assiduously implemented in line with his vision of building
a professionally-responsive NA in the discharge of its core
duties.
In a goodwill message, Mallam Mukhtar Sirajo, National President
of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), stated that
initially establishing a relationship with critical stakeholders is
the panacea for speedily resolving crises or any emergency
situation.
Giving his opening remark, Colonel Sagir Musa, Acting Director
Army Public Relations (ADAPR), said hosting the study period, which
is a capacity-building program, is very apt, especially in the
light of prevailing security challenges bedevilling the
country.
The Army spokesperson, expressed belief that the study will
immensely strengthen the Nigerian Army PR officers’ capacity in
effectively managing information in contemporary warfare or during
crisis situations.
He thanked the COAS for approving and offering all necessary
support towards the successful hosting of the combined ‘2nd and 3rd
Quarter Study Period 2019’.