Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has expressed disappointment in the inadequate support shown by some Nigerians during incidents of military mishaps. Despite the military’s unwavering efforts to secure the nation and its significant contributions to global peacekeeping missions, Gabkwet noted the lack of empathy and encouragement from parts of the Nigerian public.
In a recently shared opinion piece, Gabkwet stated, “The support and encouragement it deserves from the Nigerian public after successful operations or whenever it faces fatalities or mishaps is well below expectation unlike what obtains in other climes.” He highlighted that this lack of backing is amplified by the enemy’s skilled use of social media to disseminate their ideologies, exploiting unaware social media users.
Gabkwet referred to a recent incident involving a crashed Nigerian Air Force helicopter, emphasizing the widespread sharing of a propaganda video by terrorists on social media platforms. The video received substantial attention, accumulating nearly a million views and over 50,000 shares on various platforms. The military spokesperson lamented the uncontrolled circulation of such content, facilitated by social media users inadvertently aiding the terrorists’ agenda.
Despite the Nigerian Armed Forces’ commitment and achievements, Gabkwet’s concerns underscore the need for a more supportive and vigilant home front in the face of challenges.
