Ffollowing raising insecurity, including deadly attacks in Kwara and a school abduction in Kebbi, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu,has urged citizens to actively support its ongoing operations against terrorists and other security threats across the country.
The Army made the appeal during the Fourth Quarter 2025 Civil-Military Cooperation Media Chat in Jos.
Shaibu stressed the importance of responsible media reporting in shaping public opinion and strengthening national unity. He urged journalists to maintain fairness, accuracy, and credibility when covering military activities. According to him, consistent communication between the Army and the media is essential to counter disinformation, reassure citizens, and build trust in security operations.
The Army Chief also warned against the spread of unverified content, especially misinformation generated using artificial intelligence, noting that such material can undermine national security. He called on Nigerians to verify information before sharing it and emphasized that cooperation between the “pen and the sword”—the media and the military—is crucial in the current security climate.
Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi reinforced these points, affirming the Army’s commitment to transparency and unity. The event, themed “The Nigerian Security Environment: Role of Strategic Communication in Strengthening Civil-Military Relations,” included paper presentations and a panel discussion. Participants agreed that both the media and military play vital roles in national security and must prioritise Nigeria’s interests above all else.
