Nigerian Army Removes Journalist. Nigerian Army reportedly removes journalist from WhatsApp group for questioning N2.6tn funds
Report has it that the Nigerian Army has removed a journalist, Amadin Uyi from a WhatsApp group its communications subdivision created and operates to provide necessary information to newsmen.
Uyi, the Abuja Bureau Chief of News Central TV, drew the WhatsApp group administrators’ anger after asking about arms funds.
He demanded Yermia to provide a detailed breakdown of how the Army spent N2.6 trillion budget for counter nsurgency from 2015 till date.
“The COAS conference has posed many questions needing answers. The Chief of Army Staff says he will work towards addressing logistic challenges; this is really amazing, considering the fact that about 2.6 trillion naira has been utilized between 2015 and 2019. We really want to know what he really means by this statement,” Uyi had asked.
The company noted that Uyi has covered the Nigerian military and defence operations for close to a decade.
The pressman was, however, removed from the group shortly after his message by an officer, Muhammad Isa Yahaya, a development News Central condemned in a statement.
It said the staff raised the question about the comment by the COAS, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru at a press conference and even volunteered to send a reportorial crew to get his reaction.
“Because the public will want details, Uyi also asked if the army had previously abandoned the damaged and unserviceable equipment in the theatre of war after the COAS talked about back-loading them and instructing that they be repaired immediately.
“Rather than address these concerns to satisfy public curiosity and accountability, the Nigerian Army Public Relations Unit simply took Amadin Uyi off the platform after challenging him for asking what they described as “irrelevant questions.”
The media house urged the Nigerian Army to address the questions raised, noting that the journalist had conducted himself with utmost professionalism.
Journalists and members of civil society have criticized the action.
The Nigerian Army has however remained silent on this subject.