The Nigerian Army has reportedly removed a journalist,
Amadin Uyi from a WhatsApp group its communications unit created and operates
for the benefit of newsmen.
The Director of Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed
Yerima, and other spokespersons in the Army utilise the platform to disseminate
information to reporters.
Uyi, the Abuja Bureau Chief of News Central TV, drew the
WhatsApp group administrators’ irk after enquiring about arms funds.
He had asked Yermia to provide details of how the Army spent
N2.6 trillion budget for counter-insurgency from 2015 till date.
“The COAS conference has posed many questions needing answers.
The Chief of Army Staff says he will work towards addressing logistic
challenges; this is really shocking, considering the fact that about 2.6
trillion naira has been spent between 2015 and 2019. We really want to know
what he really means by this statement,” Uyi had asked.
The pressman was, however, removed from the group shortly
after his message by an officer, Muhammad Isa Yahaya, a development News
Central condemned in a statement.
The company noted that Uyi has covered the Nigerian military
and defence operations for close to a decade.
It said the staff raised the question about the comment by
the COAS, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru at a press conference and even volunteered
to send a reportorial crew to get his reaction.
“With such a huge amount expended within the period, Amadin
Uyi also questioned the COAS’s remark that directives had been given for “more
weapons to be procured”, when the initially disbursed funds could have
purchased enough armaments.
“Because the public will want details, Uyi also asked if the
army had previously abandoned the damaged and unserviceable equipment in the
theatre of war after the COAS talked about back-loading them and instructing
that they be repaired immediately.
“Rather than address these concerns to satisfy public
curiosity and accountability, the Nigerian Army Public Relations Unit simply
took Amadin Uyi off the platform after challenging him for asking what they
described as “irrelevant questions.”
The media house urged the Nigerian Army to address the questions
raised, adding that the journalist had conducted himself with utmost
professionalism.
Journalists and members of civil society have criticized the
action.
The Nigerian Army has remained silent on the issue.
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