Why we invaded Media Trust offices in Abuja, Maiduguri- Army

The Nigerian Army has given reasons why it invaded the headquarters and regional offices of Media Trust  in Abuja and Maiduguri, Borno State, saying the media outfit was divulging ‘classified military information’ and undermining national security.

The Army said the classified military information was contained on its lead story on Sunday Trust.

Just at the media outfit’s offices were being besieged in some parts of the country, its Lagos office was also taken over by a combination of armed military and police officers, on Sunday.

At about 9:00pm,on Sunday, it was observed  that a total of seven security operatives’ vehicles had been stationed within and outside the Lagos office premises situated at the Textile Labour House,  Acme, Agidingbi, Ikeja.

Of the seven vehicles, two Hilux vans and one Rapid Response Squad (RRS) car were parked right in front of the Bureau office.

About 15 soldiers and police officers were seen angling around the premises as at the time.

But Director Army Public Relations Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, said the soldiers were at the Media Trust office purely to invite the staff of the company and nothing more.

Gen. Usman, in a statement issued late Sunday night, said the invitation of the two staff at the Abuja office, was necessary as the reporters disclosed details of a planned military operations against the Boko Haram terrorists.

He said the disclosure of such information amounted to a breach of national security and run contrary to Sections 1 and 2 of the Official Secrets Act.

He further stated that such information would not only give the terrorists prior notice of its plans and early warning to prepare against the Nigerian military and sabotaging the planned operations, but also put the lives of soldiers in imminent and clear danger.

Gen. Usman, in the statement said,  “The Nigerian Army wishes to clarify on alleged invasion of Media Trust Headquarters in Abuja and regional office in Maiduguri.

“We would like to state that soldiers of the Nigerian Army along with elements of Nigeria Police Force and other Security Agencies were indeed at Abuja and Maiduguri offices of the publishing company to invite the staff of the company over its lead story on Sunday Trust publication, which divulged classified military information, thus undermining national security.

“In it, the newspaper made disclosed details of planned military operations against the Boko Haram terrorists.

“The disclosure of classified security information amounts to a breach of national security and run contrary to Sections 1 and 2 of the Official Secrets Act.

“It afforded the Boko Haram terrorists prior notice of our plans and giving them early warning to prepare against the Nigerian military, thus sabotaging the planned operations and putting the lives of troops in imminent and clear danger.

“We would like to state that the invitation of those responsible for divulging military plans was done with the best of intention in order to make them realise the import of such acts to our national security.

“We, therefore, advice all, particularly journalists, not to worry but engage in their responsive reportage and to be professional as the Nigerian Army has no intention of muzzling the press or jeopardising press freedom.

“We however, wish to enjoin further that they should  eschew jeopardising national security in their reportage.

“We would not tolerate situation where a publication would consistently side with terrorists and undermine our National institutions.

“We wish to appeal to all, especially the media, to join hands with the Nigerian military and security forces to end terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria.

“We would like to further assure that the invitation is for further investigation and if need be, all those culpable of jeopardising operations security will be prosecuted by the relevant law enforcement agency.”