Former president Ibrahim Babangida has expressed his confidence in the experience of Buhari as a well-grounded military officer put the final nail on the coffin of Boko Haram .
In a Sallah message he personally signed, he said “I have implicit confidence in my mind that President Muhammadu Buhari will put the final nail to the coffin of Boko Haram, so that Nigeria can truly assume its greatness in the comity of nations.”
“Each time we celebrate the dastardly acts of Boko Haram on the front pages of our newspapers and electronic platforms, it is a score for Boko Haram. We must weigh such information against our collective national interest,” he said.
Calling for media intelligence and the management of information, he prayed that more emphasis be on the reportage of the successes of the military as a means to demotivate Boko Haram.
“The type of headlines and lead stories that are promoted in favour of the insurgents could only help to motivate members of the sect rather than demotivate them.
“I expect, with a deep sense of patriotism, to see a greater deal of positive news promoted in support of military efforts at confronting this menace than a celebration of Boko Haram carnage, day in and day out.”
“Strategic efforts and initiatives of the military targeted at curtailing the spread of the Boko Haram should remain most often top secret within military hierarchy and the presidency.
“Collaborative efforts should also follow similar pattern, so that little or limited information is let loose for the consumption of members of the sect.
“Coordinated efforts by the security agencies should be strengthened and refocused to gain new dimensions towards combating the unwholesome activities of this sect, and when such dimensions are sought and cultivated, they should remain the exclusive preserve of top military brats,” he said.
The former president described as “a welcome development,” the renewed interest of international communities through the provision of personal and technological support at combating the scourge.