Army: The Reason We Invaded Daily Trust

Recall that the military invaded the premises of the Daily Trust Newspaper and made several arrests, including the arrest of its Editor.

The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai
The Chief Of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai

Today, the Nigerian Army revealed that the arrests were made because Daily Trust leaked classified military information on war against terrorism, plaguing the North East.

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The spokesman of the Army, Brigadier General Sank Usman, said that the media house disclosed details of planned military operations against the Boko Haram terrorists.

He 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.”

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“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.”

This statement was made after the Federal Government directed the military to vacate the premises of the Daily Trust.

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