Operation Safe Haven Holds Peace Parley and Interactive Session with Journalists/Bloggers

Amb. Friday Bako
Viewpoint Nigeria
27th March, 2018

In order to foster, maintain and sustain good working relationship with the general public, the Special Security Force christened Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) has held a strategic and interactive session with Journalists and bloggers in Jos, Plateau State.

The meeting which was held in the Conference Hall of OPSH Headquarters at the instance of the Commandant OPSH, Maj. General A. M. Atolagbe brought together Journalists and Bloggers of the print, electronic and online media platforms.

OPSH Spokesperson, Maj. A. U. Umar set the ball rolling by introducing the Commandant, Deputy Commandant, Chief of Staff and other Senior officers present as well as the agenda of the meeting.

The Commandant expressed great pleasure for the turnout of the Journalists/Bloggers and said the meeting was a platform towards synergy and cordial working relationships between the security outfit and the media.
He said he look forward to continuous interactions that would promote peace and unity.

Maj. Gen. Atolagbe said the Country is going through hard security terms but with all hands on deck, the challenges would be addressed.
He said conflicts are sensitive issues unlike other issues and need to be treated with utmost caution. Under the present situation, unhealthy and uncontrolled propaganda are peddled which he said are detrimental to national peace, unity, cohesion and togetherness he said.
He said reportage by Journalists and bloggers should be geared towards uniting people not inflaming emotions of the people.

He charged them to do away with emotional reportage which are capable of inciting people against one another, while being professional, objective, constructive and reliable while giving suggestions on how best the insecurity bedevilling the nation can be curtailed and contained as it affects all.
He said all Nigerians have roles to play in the restoration of peace, unity and confidence building.

He said the OPSH is working tirelessly and assiduously towards restoring peace both in trouble areas and also ensure that other places are safer and more secured.

He admonished those present to ensure security personnel with questionable characters are reported for appropriate sanctions in accordance to laid down rules.
He charged the journalists and bloggers of rational and logical reportage by giving them the assurance that his door is open for clarifications and intelligence information sharing.

He frowned at how the security agencies are always being bashed despite their efforts in trying to maintain peace and protect communities from aggressions. He said they are mostly being indicted in cases they are trying to remedy but was quick to say there are bad eggs everywhere and his office will not fail to deal decisively with personnel with such tendencies. He said he is not comfortable with how the security agencies are projected in bad light despite some successes and breakthroughs in their operations. He said the public should have confidence in the Military.

He said there are high profile cases that are sensitive in nature and need to be treated differently from others.

He said the Press should not be for negative reportage aimed at inciting people but geared towards peaceful coexistence and unity of the people.

He said there is need for synergy between the security and Press.
He said people should feel free and be frank as he allowed for general discussions.

Those who spoke from the Journalists/Bloggers said the military must be more proactive as the attacks are becoming too much and seems they are overwhelmed.

They frowned at instances where attacks would go on for hours several persons killed and houses burnt without military interventions.
They said there are issues of unprofessional conducts and negligence on the part of the security personnel which should be addressed.

They said the military are not doing enough to curtail the attacks and killings.

They also frowned at disappearance of security personnel from scenes of attacks which they want to be investigated especially the killings at a School in Miango where people were taking refuge on the order of the military.

They charged the security to take their job more seriously.
They said there is need for confidence building and call on the military to do more by providing basic amenities as it has been doing though not its official function.

They disclosed that they are optimistic that the military can overcome the security challenges posed by people who don’t mean the State and Nation well.

They said there is need for critical synergy which has been lacking for accuracy and objectivity in reportage.
They said such interaction should be sustained, continuous and made wider to accommodate more Journalists/Bloggers.
They admonished the security to put themselves in the shoes of those losing their loved ones and property.

They also said lack of information from the OPSH Office is affecting their reportage.

Brig. Gen. A. M. Bello, the COS to the Commandant said there is disconnect between the security forces and media which should be addressed.

He said the media should be brought to during/after action review to help with reliable and firsthand information.

The Deputy Commandant of OPSH, ACP Emmanuel Ado said they have vowed and put their lives on line to serve Nigeria and protect its territorial integrity and will not allow anything break the unity of Nigeria.
He said they are doing their best to ensure all communities, the State and Nation are safer and peaceful.

In his closing remarks, the Commandant, Maj. Gen. AM Atolagbe thanked the Journalists/Bloggers for the time, said there will be intelligence training and continuous interface, there is need for intelligence information gathering and sharing.
He said they are always fear, impartial but sometimes use minimal force in their assignments.
He said there is need to work together while charging the journalists/bloggers to be fair, objective and make balanced reports all the time in their reportage.
He said bad eggs are everywhere but all should work towards overpowering them.
He said some interactions have been held with affected communities, parties to the conflicts and others will still be held to build confidence among the people.
He promised to look into all the issues and concerns raised by the Journalists with the aim to addressing them.

The security and Journalists/Bloggers agreed to synergize in the performance of their duties.

The meeting ended with photographs.

Those present include Journalists from Channels, NTA, PRTVC, Daily Trust, the Nation, Daily Times: bloggers from Viewpoint Nigeria, Masara Kim Usman Blog and State of Plateau.

Other security officers present were Maj.E. E. Mbu Ogar, Maj. A. U. Umar (Media Head, OPSH), Capt. Muyiwa etc.

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Operation Safe Haven Holds Peace Parley and Interactive Session with Journalists/Bloggers