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The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, warned against the recurring leakage of classified and secret army operational documents to the public particularly in social media, saying it is in contravention of the official secret act.
He also frowned at the spate of violations of the Armed Forces’ social media policy by personnel, warning that such acts are capable of undermining the effort of the army to effectively deal with the contemporary and dynamic security landscape that is characterized by evolving threat manifestation.
Lagbaja raised the concern at the opening ceremony of the Army Chief Clerk’s convention which was held in Kaduna State aimed at improving the professional proficiency of clerks of the Nigerian army.
Addressing the participants, the Chief of Army Staff, represented by his Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Moses Gara, underscored the importance of the training and the need for the service personnel to be vigilant to emerging threats from cyberspace as well as the impact of social media on their operations.
“The importance of chief clerks in this regard is premium. Chief clerks play very crucial roles in all headquarters, formations and units. A robust, resourceful and knowledgeable chief clerk will contribute effectively to the attainment of a commander’s mission while a weak and incompetent chief clerk has little or nothing to offer to his commander,” Lagbaja said.
“Contemporary operating environment is complex and dynamic, characterized by evolving threat manifestations which require deeper consideration and insights if they are to be successfully overcome. the emergence of cyberspace as an operational domain and the impact of social media on our operations is one of such issue that requires attention.”
Raising alarm over sustained efforts by subversive elements and dissident groups to cast aspersions against the army, especially on alleged human rights violations using social media, Lagbaja tasked the chief clerks to be circumspect, adaptable and responsive.
“There have been sustained efforts by subversive elements and dissident groups to cast aspersions against the Nigerian Army, especially on the allegations of human rights violations using social media,” the army chief said.
“These among other situations demand that we all must be circumspect, adaptable and responsive. I am particularly disturbed by the recurring leakage of our official documents in contravention of the Official Secrets Act. more worrisome, is the spate of violations of the armed forces policy on the use of social media by personnel.
“I implore you as custodians of official documents and sensitive information to resolve to ensure this is decisively addressed. I have directed that all clerks and personnel handling sensitive documents be routinely vetted by appropriate corps and departments of the NA. However, you have to contribute to this drive by ensuring you also monitor the clerks under you.”
The convention which is an annual event is designed to improve the productivity and capacity of chief clerks in the Nigerian army, especially in the areas of clerical duties, document security, staff work and office management.
Participants here were drawn from army headquarters, formations and units across the country.
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