In a bid to harmonise interface with the media and the general public on all military operations both internal and external, the Nigerian military Wednesday launched the Directorate of Defence Media Operations in Abuja.
The coordinator of the new directorate, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, who launched the initiative on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, said the purpose of the establishment is to ensure that the Armed Forces of Nigeria communicate its operational activities through one channel to the general public.
He said the directorate “is visioned to achieve information delivery for positive effect, at strategic, operational, tactical and other levels of our target audience.”
“I must first of all let you know that this new outfit of the Armed Forces of Nigeria is the latest strategic initiative of the Chief of Defence Staff, in line with our military effort on media operations.
“In this regard, our channel of communicating the operational activities of the Nigerian Military to the general public has been streamlined to one source which is henceforth the Directorate of Defence Media Operations. This implies that, the directorate is now the clearing house for all information relating to the operational activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, which will provide authentic information on all issues bothering on military operations.
“The Directorate is to disseminate information on multi agency operations of which the Nigerian Military is the lead agency. In clear terms, the Directorate of Defence Media Operations is responsible for press briefings, releases and other press activities on all military and Armed Forces of Nigeria led multi agency operations, for internal and international engagements,” he said.
Similarly, in his maiden press briefing, the director of the new directorate, Brig.-Gen. Bernard Ejike Onyeuko said the Directorate in line with the Chief of Defence Staff’s vision, will be responsive to national security commitments, by ensuring timely and credible dissemination of information of operations of the Nigerian military.
He reiterated the dedication of Armed Forces to ending all security challenges confronting the nation through constructive engagements with the media and members of the public of all military operations in the country.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria is resolutely committed to resolving the current security challenges across the country.
“Currently, we have a total of 9 ongoing Armed Forces of Nigeria operations in different parts of the country, besides the Multinational Joint Task Force Operation, with its headquarters at N’Djamena, Republic of Chad.
“The operations are Operation Lafiya Dole, Operation Delta Safe, Operation Safe Haven, Operation Awatse, Operation Safe Corridor and Operation Whirl Stroke. Others are, Operation Whirl Punch, Operation Thunder Strike and Operation Hadarin Daji,” he said.
