The Nigerian Army authority has tasked its troops across the country to ensure they operate within the rules of engagement imposed on them to enhance national security.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, disclosed this through the Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Major General Nosakhare C. Ugbo, in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, during a sensitization workshop organized by the Nigerian Army aimed at strengthening the cordial relationship between the military and civilians.

Lagbaja explained the importance of Army troops deployed for various operations to strictly abide by the laws to protect human rights and promote civil-military coordination.

According to him, this will build confidence in the minds of the good citizens of Nigeria.

“As you embark on your constitutional responsibilities of dealing with terrorists and other criminals, you must ensure adequate protection of the lives and property of law-abiding civilians, as they would appreciate your professionalism,” he added.

In his speech, the Commanding Officer of the 8 Division and Force Commander, Joint Task Force Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD), Major General Godwin M. Mutkut, charged social media handlers to be patriotic citizens while making their posts public.

General Mutkut urged social media operators to always avoid posting fake news and unverified reports of casualties and locations where incidents occurred.

“The Nigerian Army needs patriotic citizens as much as they need the interventions of our troops in their communities being ravaged by terrorists and criminals,” he said.

Papers were presented during the sensitisation workshop by invited resource persons who educated the social media handlers on the danger of posting unverified incidents capable of destroying national security and causing unrest in the affected communities.