A civil society group, Building Resilience Against Violent Extremism, Insurgency And Terrorism, has condemned what it described as “smear campaign against the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa.”

The group, in a statement jointly signed by its National Coordinator, Dr. A. K. Peters, and the National Patron, Dr Muhammed Abubakar, on Friday in Abuja, described the attacks as “malicious.”

It said, “Malicious attacks and concerted smear campaigns have been launched against Gen. Musa; the aim is to undermine his credibility and tarnish his reputation. It is imperative that such unfounded allegations and character assassinations cease. They are not in Nigeria’s interest. The smear merchants brought old and outdated interviews from some radio stations purportedly conducted with a soldier in the North-East in 2018, and want to use them to tarnish reputations.

“You wonder about the relevance of such fake claims that only reflect a troubling trend in the manipulation of historical media content to serve contemporary narratives. By selectively utilising antiquated interviews, the campaign undermines the broader context of Gen. Musa’s service and contributions, suggesting a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and distort the truth surrounding his character and professional conduct.’’

The group said that such actions highlighted the need for critical media literacy and a discerning approach to information consumption, especially in an era where misinformation could spread rapidly and influence public perception.

It added that the attacks against the defence chief had predominantly manifested through social media platforms, where misinformation and slanderous narratives were proliferating at an alarming rate.

According to them, the digital assaults often take the form of fabricated stories, doctored images, and misleading statements that aim to paint a negative picture of the CDS.

The group said, “The anonymity afforded by social media has emboldened individuals and groups to disseminate falsehoods without accountability, creating an environment ripe for defamation. Moreover, the nature of these attacks is not merely personal; they are strategically aimed at undermining the authority of the military leadership during a time when national security is paramount. By targeting Gen. Musa, detractors seek to create doubt among the public regarding the competence and integrity of military operations.’’

It further stated that such could have far-reaching consequences, particularly in a nation where trust in military leadership was crucial for maintaining order and stability.  

(NAN)