The 17 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Katsina, has urged journalists to continue supporting its efforts to fight insurgency and other security challenges in the state.

The Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Babatunde Omopariola, made the call while hosting members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to a lunch in Katsina.

Mr Omopariola said that developmental journalism should also be accorded priority to effectively tackle the lingering insecurity.

He said that the event was organised to provide a relaxed atmosphere for networking and active engagement between the media and the Nigerian Army.

Mr Omopariola added that the media play an ever-increasing role in shaping public opinion, thus, influencing military operations and galvanising public support as they progress into the information age.

“Embedding journalists in the planning and conduct of military operations will help greatly in checking negative reports on the activities of security agencies.

“It also serves as a platform for the military to engrave its friendship with the media and bridge the existing divide between them,” he said.

The commander also tasked media practitioners to be patriotic while discharging their duties and urged them to avoid reports that would be detrimental to national interest and security.

Responding, the state NUJ chairman, Tukur Den-Ali, thanked the brigade commander and officers for the warm reception accorded to journalists.

He promised that journalists in the state would always respond to the brigade’s call out of their busy schedules to render media expertise when needed.

He assured the commander that every practising journalist in the state would continue to partner with the brigade and other security agencies towards promoting interagency cooperation.

(NAN)