The Coalition of Lawyers Against Terrorism has concluded plans to sue one Idrsi Ahmed of the Coalition for Peace and Security (CUPS) for tarnishing the image of the Nigerian military on the new media.
The lawyers said Idris Ahmed and his cohorts have been using Facebook, Newsrescue and the social media platforms to attack the hard-fighting military, a plot which they have vowed to fight within the legal space until justice is done.
According to the group, rising from a meeting in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, it noted with satisfaction that the military has sustained the momentum against Boko Haram insurgents/terrorists in the north east of Nigeria even though there remains the sporadic attacks attempted by the terrorists.
Adedotun Akintola-Idowu, chairman and Moses Toro, Secretary in a statement jointly signed after the meeting, cited that recent directives from President Muhammadu Buhari for the military to be more brutal with insurgents and bandits that are attempting to make life difficult for Nigerians through their criminality provides additional cover for the military services to be more decisive in weeding out the criminals and insurgents from the country.
According to the statement, “The coalition was reliably updated that one Dr. Idris Ahmed is at the forefront of the propaganda support for terrorists on the internet through the publication of malicious contents that were found to be false, unsubstantiated and with intent to damage the reputation and standing of the military institution in the estimation of right thinking Nigerians. Dr. Idris Ahmed carries out these activities under the aegis of Coalition for Peace and Security (CUPS) and on the sponsorship of some terrorists nation such as Iran and groups like the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, opposition political parties etc.
“The malicious contents have been tracked on Facebook, Twitter, NewsRescue website and other online platforms. These platforms have been deployed for propagating lies and falsehood that have hurt the interests of Nigeria and Nigerians.
“The coalition, upon careful review, further concluded that the activities of the said Idris and others using Facebook, Twitter, NewsRescue and other sites have caused damage to the military’s war on insurgents and undermined our country’s national security plans for her citizenry. It is of interest to note that more progress would have been made in completely freeing Nigeria from the clutches of terrorists had such calculated malicious communication not been undertaken by these offenders.
“It was noted that the Federal Government and the military have been restrained in their response to the provocations of the identified individuals even in the face of the risk they pose to the country.
“The meeting concluded that contrary to popular insinuations that the military is at war with Boko Haram, it is Nigeria including all men of goodwill that are at war with Boko Haram and not the military alone. Any attack on the military is therefore a fight for all Nigerians to fight to the finish and not to be left to the military alone. It is on this note that the Coalition of Lawyers Against Terrorism resolved to take decisive actions to protect the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians only.”
On the way forward, the group of lawyers resolved to pursue a legal action against the hired agent of destabilization, which is aimed at undermining the nation’s military.
It added, “The coalition resolved to explore legal option to compel Facebook, Twitter, NewsRescue and others to stop making themselves available for use as channels for promoting terrorists’ propaganda.
“The Coalition urges the three arms of the federal government to play their part in dealing with the proliferation of terrorists’ activities online in view of the dangers posed to the country.
“The Coalition resolved to approach a court of competent jurisdiction to make Idris available for criminal trial in the country over his direct and indirect involvement with terrorists in the country and for the purpose of undermining Nigeria’s national security interest for pecuniary interests. This is to test the laws of our country like the United States of America if our anti- terrorism legislation is enough to provide the needed safety for our citizens including members of the armed forces.”
