Saturday June 20, 2026
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The Federal Government is considering a new initiative that would allow journalists to accompany military personnel during selected operations as part of efforts to improve security reporting and provide the public with a clearer understanding of the realities of counterinsurgency and other internal security efforts.
The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, disclosed the plan on Thursday at the National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Abuja.
Represented by his Special Adviser, Olusanya Bankole, the minister said the proposed arrangement would strengthen collaboration between the media and security agencies while promoting transparency in military operations.
Musa noted that the media plays a strategic role in shaping public perception of security operations and national stability, stressing that security management in the modern era extends beyond conventional battlefields.
According to him, contemporary conflicts are increasingly influenced by information, communication and public narratives, making the media a critical stakeholder in the country’s security architecture.
He argued that the success of security operations should not be measured solely by battlefield victories but also by the level of public confidence in security institutions.
“More than ever before, the media are not only enablers; they are stabilizers of government.
“The Defence Ministry is exploring arrangements to embed journalists with military units during operations to enable more accurate reporting and deeper understanding of operational realities,” he said.
The minister explained that the proposal forms part of broader efforts to strengthen engagement between the military and the media while ensuring that information about security operations is communicated accurately and responsibly to the public.
He added that improved cooperation between journalists and security agencies would help build public trust, reduce misinformation and contribute to better national security outcomes.
The proposed initiative comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with multiple security challenges, including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of violent crime across different parts of the country.
Security agencies have often faced criticism over limited media access to operational areas, a situation that has at times fuelled misinformation, conflicting accounts and public skepticism regarding developments on the frontlines.
If implemented, the arrangement would mark a significant shift in the relationship between the media and the military, potentially giving journalists firsthand access to selected operations while providing citizens with more detailed and accurate reporting on security matters.
*FirstNEWS
