The Nigerian Army has given clarifications on why a combined team of security personnel  sealed the offices of Daily Trust newspapers in Abuja, Lagos and Maiduguri in Borno State.

The raids happened hours after the newspaper published a report detailing how the Nigerian military had assembled troops and equipment in preparation for a massive onslaught to retake Baga and five other towns in Borno from Boko Haram occupation.

The heavily armed soldiers, who arrived the headquarters of the media organization located in the Jabi District of Abuja in five trucks reportedly ordered the company’s staff out of the premises before ransacking them.

The raid on the Abuja office was preceded by a similar one on its regional offices in Ikeja, Lagos and Maiduguri where they reportedly arrested its North-East Bureau Chief, Mallam Uthman Abubakar and a reporter, Ibrahim Sawab.

 A directive from President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday night however compelled the soldiers to vacate the premises of the media outfit.

Making clarifications on the raids through a statement, the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman said the security personnel were in the Daily Trust offices to invite its staff over its lead story on Sunday  which divulged classified military information, thus undermining national security.

The Army statement read: “The Nigerian Army wishes to clarify on alleged invasion of Media Trust Headquarters in Abuja and regional office in Maiduguri.

“We would like to state that soldiers of the Nigerian Army along with elements of Nigeria Police Force and other Security Agencies were indeed at Abuja and Maiduguri offices of the publishing company to invite the staff of the company over its lead story on Sunday Trust publication, which divulged classified military information, thus undermining national security.

“In it, the newspaper made disclosed details of planned military operations against the Boko Haram terrorists. The disclosure of classified security information amounts to a breach of national security and run contrary to Sections 1 and 2 of the Official Secrets Act.

“It afforded the Boko Haram terrorists prior notice of our plans and giving them early warning to prepare against the Nigerian military, thus sabotaging the planned operations and putting the lives of troops in imminent and clear danger.

“We would like to state that the invitation of those responsible for divulging military plans was done with the best of intention in order to make them realize the import of such acts to our national security.

“We therefore advice all, particularly journalists, not to worry but engage in their responsive reportage and to be professional as the Nigerian Army has no intention of muzzling the press or jeopardizing press freedom.

“We, however, wish to enjoin further that they should eschew jeopardizing national security in their reportage. We would not tolerate a situation where a publication would consistently side with terrorists and undermine our national institutions.

“We wish to appeal to all, especially the media, to join hands with the Nigerian military and security forces to end terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria.

“We would like to further assure that the invitation is for further investigation and if need be, all those culpable of jeopardizing operations security will be prosecuted by the relevant law enforcement agency.”