Jalingo – Mr Muhammed Garba, the National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), said on Saturday that enhanced relations between Nigerian military and the media were critical to tackling insecurity in the country.

Garba made the remark in Jalingo at the opening of the National Executive Council meeting of the NUJ.

He said insurgency in north-east Nigeria, kidnappings in south-east and south-south, had made it mandatory for the military to see the media as a partner rather than enemy.

“As you may have read in newspapers, stakeholders in the media industry have recently condemned highhandedness by the Nigerian military.

“Instead of the security agencies to partner and cooperate with us in sensitising the public on security, they are going round seizing newspapers and arresting vendors.

“When we complained, they said their actions were prompted by security reasons. Now, let them come out and tell us what they have found during the operation”, he said.

Garba, however, urged members of the union not to relent in their efforts in sensitising Nigerians on the need to pursue good governance through sustainable democracy.

Earlier, Acting Gov. Garba Umar of Taraba said the role of media in educating the people could not be overemphasised.

He urged journalists to always pay more attention to issues that unite the country rather than those that would lead to chaos.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Garvey Yawe, Umar said he would continue to partner with the media for the socio-economic development of the state.

– NAN