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Army’s Frustration, Premium Times’ Sabotage

Published

9 years ago

January 17, 2017

By: Bukar Raheem

Two angry letters later, the relationship between the Nigerian Army and online newspaper, Premium Times has taken on some clarity. They have both threatened to take legal actions against each other but the Army’s letter, which came first is the one that gives one concerns. Some Nigerians would by now be ruing their earlier recriminations and taking sides without the benefit of information.
The first layer of concerns is about what the military’s letter accused the newspaper of. The second level of concerns derived from the inability of the letter written in response by Premium Times to sufficiently discharge it from the weighty accusations levelled against it by the army.
On a different facet is the dimension that the army has not made similar accusations against any other publication even though it is on record that several media organisations have reported, without jeopardising our collective security, the shortcomings that they discovered in the way the military conducts its affairs. This could only imply that the Army detected something sinister in the way Premium Times has been reporting its operation and has for some reason been mild in responding to this obvious threat.
The letter written by Major General I.M. Alkali on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff ((COAS), Lt General Tukur Buratai is an eye opener. In that communication more facts emerged as to why the Nigerian Army finally decided to pursue legal actions against the online newspaper. It exposed the newspaper’s interest in bringing down not just the army as an institution but also Buratai as an individual.
It also revealed the Army’s frustration with what amounted to that publication’s deliberate sabotage of the anti-terror war in manners that have led to troops’ deaths on several occasions. It appeared the decision to intimate Premium Times about a potential law suit was driven by a desire to see the newspaper embrace professionalism like its other contemporaries irrespective of its hidden agenda.
Several Nigerians have argued that openness with information is needed for counterinsurgency operations to succeed. It is however important to establish that some of those canvassing such openness merely parrot lines from international gatherings without full appreciation of the considerations involved. Few of those who demand disclosure of sensitive operational information are aware that those who marketed these standards to them do not themselves implement same in their own countries.
One is therefore compelled to ask if the army could have approached the issue in another way, like handing over every single byte of military secrets to appease Premium Times. It does not appear this would have achieved much with resoluteness one has seen on the part of its aggressor, who is running the propaganda that the army is high handed. But with the much one has seen of that organisation since Buratai took charge it pursues the most conciliatory approach possible, which in this case was mooting the prospect of dragging Premium Times before a court perchance it will trigger a rethink. In exploring the legal option, the army came off as not wanting to be seen as stifling freedom of the press even though the breaches committed by the online newspaper are grievous.
That the newspaper rather resorted to writing a reply that only played to the gallery is a testimony to its accuser’s claim that it not only hates the leadership of the Nigerian Army and the Army as a service but that it also hates Nigeria as a nation. This should set off alarm bells for all patriotic Nigerians. We can survive the dangers of daily onslaught on the existence of the country by foreign media networks but the nation’s future existence would be counted in months if an indignous media organisation staffed by Nigerians is on a hate campaign against the country.
It therefore appears Nigerians do not realise that Premium Times is hiding under the guise of exclusive reports to put the lives of soldiers on missions at risk on several occasions, with some even losing their lives. If this had continued it was a matter of time before the terrorists overran everywhere and kill off the rest of us. This will explain the reservation expressed by the military leadership in the past but which seemed to have only spurred the people in the newspaper to do more of such dangerous reporting.
The military is like a big family. The COAS must therefore tend to see the troops as his family so one can imagine how painful it is for him, which would be the case for other commanders, when people hide under media to share information that lead to the death of troops.
It must be recalled that in the days when Boko Haram was running all over the place, Premium Times was always the first to leak information about troops movement. Some of those reports led to troops being ambushed and each time that happened things ended badly. A cursory look at other media, even the libertarian media of western countries do not share information that could potentially endanger their militaries and definitely not reporting troop movement prior to operations and platform where terrorists have access to read.
Just like the army claimed, whatever grudge the online newspaper harbours goes beyond the situation in the Gambia in a way that could have endangered Nigerians living there. Premium Times’ story that the Nigerian Army was planning to attack outgoing Gambian President (Yahya) Jammeh was one that could have put the lives of Nigerians in Gambia at risk for the mere fact that they would transform from peaceful regional citizens to aggressors overnight.⁠⁠⁠⁠ There was also the diplomatic aspect of how Nigeria now has to convince Gambians that it is not invading their country. What were they trying to gain by making it look like Nigerian Army was going to attack another country when it was an ECOWAS decision?
Those loyal to Jammeh could have risen against helpless Nigerian civilians living in the Gambia and they will lose their businesses and even their lives. Premium Times would have then be able to repeat the scenario where it hides under journalistic reporting to provide information for Boko Haram terrorists to kill troops when its report triggers the lynching of Nigerians in Gambia. Why it wants to earn this unpleasant record of killing the most Nigerians whether soldiers or civilians and whether here at home or in far away Gambia remains a mystery.
This is the kind of frustration that Premium Times wants those securing Nigeria to face on daily basis.

Raheem, a public affairs commentator writes from Kaduna, Kaduna State.

Featured

El-Rufai Prays for Late Audu Ogbeh, Says He Deserves Al-Jannah Firdaus Despite Being Catholic

Published

2 weeks ago

September 24, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has described the late Chief Audu Ogbeh as a selfless leader who dedicated his life to the service of others, praying that God grants him eternal rest in paradise.

Speaking in a video shared by Symfoni TV, El-Rufai acknowledged that Ogbeh was a Catholic, not a Muslim, but said he would continue to pray that Allah admits him into Al-Jannah Firdaus because “he is deserving of it.”

Holding back tears, the former governor praised Ogbeh as “a good man” who touched many lives and left behind a legacy of service. He also recalled Ogbeh’s achievements as Minister of Agriculture, noting that under his leadership Nigeria ended its heavy reliance on rice imports.

“Before his reforms, Nigeria was spending five million dollars monthly on rice imports, but that figure dropped to zero during his tenure,” El-Rufai said.

He prayed for comfort for Ogbeh’s family and loved ones, adding: “I will keep praying for Audu Ogbeh, a Catholic and not a Muslim, so that Allah would grant him entrance to Al-Jannah Firdaus. What a great man he was.”

Do you want me to make this more emotional and tribute-like (focusing on Ogbeh’s character and legacy), or keep it strictly factual and political?

Featured

Facilitation

Published

2 weeks ago

September 24, 2025

Our Reporter

I join millions of Nigerians in celebrating a man whose life continues to illuminate the path of honour, courage, and patriotism: Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (Rtd.), on the occasion of his 76th birthday. It is not only a moment of personal reflection but a national milestone, as we honour a soldier, statesman, pro-democracy icon, and moral conscience of our nation.

Colonel Umar stands tall among Nigeria’s most principled voices; his name evoking an unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and democratic ideals. In the tumultuous days following the annulment of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election, when many chose silence or self-preservation, he chose the difficult path of truth. He risked his career, comfort, and personal safety by speaking out in defence of Chief MKO Abiola’s stolen mandate, despite being a senior member of the ruling military council. It was a singular act of bravery that not only inspired a generation but redefined the meaning of loyalty to country over convenience.

As a young civil rights activist in those difficult days, I found in Colonel Umar not just a role model, but a moral compass. He demonstrated to us that true leadership is not merely about wielding power, but standing firm in defence of what is right, even at great personal cost. His resignation from the Nigerian Army at a time when he stood poised for further elevation is perhaps one of the most courageous acts in our political history.

As Governor of Kaduna State today, I draw deep inspiration from his sterling example of inclusive leadership. His tenure as military governor of this great state remains a reference point for fairness, balance, and peacebuilding. In a deeply diverse and, at times, fractured society, he governed with wisdom, compassion, and an unshakeable belief in our shared humanity.

Colonel Umar’s transcendence of ethnic and religious divides has never required a denial of his own identity. Rather, he has drawn strength from it: his noble Fulani lineage, his deep Islamic faith, and his enduring belief that justice is the foundation of peace.

I am proud to stand among those who celebrate him, not only for his past heroism, but for his continued voice of conscience in our national life. I also warmly commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for honouring him with the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), a richly deserved recognition.

Happy 76th birthday, our highly revered Colonel Dangiwa Umar. May your legacy continue to inspire generations to come.

Senator Uba Sani, CON
Governor, Kaduna State

Featured

Natasha; Defamations Charges On Akpabio, Yahaya Bello Suffers Adjournment

Published

2 weeks ago

September 23, 2025

Our Reporter

By Hassan Taiye

For the second time in 24 hours, the trial of the suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Apoti-Uduaghan for allegedly defaming the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Adosa Bello suffered an adjournment.

The trial scheduled to kick-start on Tuesday was put off by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja following objections raised by the suspended senator against the competence of the charges.

Natasha predicated her objections on the alleged abuse of prosecutorial powers by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation AGF by filing charges against her at the Federal High Court and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on the same subject matter and same complaints.

When the matter was called, David Kaswe, a lawyer from the Ministry of Justice informed the court of his readiness to open the case against the defendant.

He claimed to have his first witness, a Superintendent of Police, Abdulhafeez Garba in court to testify against the senator.

He requested for permission of the court to call the witness into the witness box.

The request was however opposed by lead counsel to the defendant Mr Ehighioge West-Idahosa SAN on the ground that his client has filed a motion on notice, challenging the competence of the charges and the jurisdiction of the court.

West-Idahosa said that the motion has been served on the Attorney General of the Federation AGF as required by law but that the AGF had not responded.

In the drama that ensued, the federal government lawyer who announced appearance for the AGF Office argued that he ought to have been served personally or be informed on phone on the filing of the motion and requested that Natasha’s claim be rejected.

However, the trial Judge, Justice Chizoba Orji found in the case file that the AGF office was served with the motion but had not responded as required by law.

At this point, the federal government lawyer admitted that the AGF had been out of the country and as such, has not made the motion available to him.

After taking arguments for and against adjournment, Justice Chizoba Orji held that the proper thing was to shift trial to enable AGF respond to the motion in the interest of fair hearing.

The Judge subsequently fixed October 27 for Natasha’s motion to be heard along with the response of the AGF.

About two thousand sympathizers escorted the senator to court thereby giving security agents hectic job to control crowd and ward off security breaches.

Natasha’ was on Thursday, June 19, 2025 docked at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja for allegedly defaming the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Adosa Bello.

She was put on trial by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF) on three-count criminal charges bordering on harmful imputations during a television interview.

When the charges were read, she pleaded not guilty to all of them.

Justice Chizoba admitted her to bail in the sum of N50 million and one surety in the like sum in the charge marked CR/297/25 filed on May 15, 2025.

The judge had held that the surety must be an owner of landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.

Natasha was, in count one, accused of making harmful imputation which she knew would harm the reputation of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, by claiming he plotted, with former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello, to kill her.

In count two, she was accused of making a similar harmful imputation knowing that it will harm the reputation of ex-governor Yahaya Bello.

In count three, she was accused of making another imputation, which she knew would harm the reputation of Akpabio by associating him with the death of one Miss Imoren Iniobong.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly has unsealed the office of Senator Natasha, granting her access to the the National Assembly six months after her suspension.