Smear Campaign Against CDS Gen Musa is a Threat to National Security, Says BRAVEIT
By Matthew Eloyi
In the wake of a series of malicious attacks against the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General CG Musa, the Building Resilience Against Violent Extremism, Insurgency, and Terrorism (BRAVEIT) has condemned the smear campaign as a dangerous threat to national security.
According to a statement signed by Dr. Sir AK Peters, National Coordinator of BRAVEIT, and Dr. MS Abubakar, Patron of the organisation, the attacks on General Musa have primarily unfolded on social media platforms, with detractors using outdated interviews and fabricated narratives to tarnish his reputation.
BRAVEIT warned that these targeted assaults not only undermine General Musa’s leadership but also pose significant risks to the stability and integrity of Nigeria’s military operations.
The campaign, the release stated, involves the misuse of an old interview from 2018, conducted with a soldier in the Northeast, as an attempt to damage the CDS’s image.
Such actions, BRAVEIT emphasised, are part of a broader effort to manipulate historical media content and deceive the public. These attacks, they noted, have intensified online, where misinformation and defamatory content are spreading rapidly without accountability.
“These actions are more than personal attacks. They are strategic efforts to sow doubt about military leadership, which is crucial at a time when national security is paramount,” the statement read.
BRAVEIT linked the smear campaign to political motivations, suggesting that individuals opposed to General Musa’s policies are seeking to destabilize his position through character assassination.
BRAVEIT called on stakeholders, including government officials and military personnel, to champion accountability and challenge misinformation.
The group also urged social media platforms to implement stricter measures to prevent the spread of false information, stressing that public confidence in military leadership is essential for maintaining national security.
In conclusion, BRAVEIT emphasised the need for constructive dialogue and integrity in public discourse, stating that malicious attacks on military leaders like General Musa detract from the critical role they play in safeguarding Nigeria’s peace and security.
“The time has come for these malicious attacks to stop,” the statement declared.