Wednesday September 17, 2025
By TheNewsDESK |
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has called for a mandatory and strategic partnership between the Nigerian military and the media to effectively combat Boko Haram and other security threats.
He made the statement on Wednesday, September 17, at the third quarter 2025 one-day media Stakeholders’ seminar in Maiduguri, themed: “Consolidating Media-Military Synergy for Sustainable Peace in Nigeria.”
General Musa, represented by Major General Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations (DMO), emphasized that the military’s fight for national security cannot be successful without effective information management and public perception.
“Peace and security cannot be sustained by force alone,” General Musa said. “They must be nurtured through positive narratives, civic engagement, and inclusive communication. This is where the media have a unique and powerful role to play.”
The CDS commended troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) and their commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, for their sacrifices and recent successes against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in the North East.
In his keynote address, Major General Abubakar echoed the CDS’s sentiments, stating that both the military and the media are crucial in defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity and protecting citizens.
He highlighted that security challenges are fought not only on the battlefield but also in the public perception domain.
He stressed the need for “structured and timely communication” between both parties, calling for spokespersons to operate within clear protocols to ensure accurate and verified information dissemination.
General Abubakar noted that misinformation and sensationalism have often hampered military operations and endangered national security.
He proposed strategic actions to build a stronger partnership, including periodic training for journalists on conflict-sensitive reporting and for military personnel on media relations.
“By consolidating media-military synergy, we are not only strengthening our national security framework, we are also cultivating the very soil from which peace can grow and thrive,” he said.
The Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, represented by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar, commended the military’s initiative to engage with the media.
He pledged his administration’s support for press freedom and urged journalists to avoid fake news that could be detrimental to the fight against terrorism.
The seminar also featured paper presentations by Professor Usman Tar on “Strategic Communication as a tool for Strengthening Civil-Military Relation in Conflict Zones” and Professor Abubakar Mua’zu on “Ethical Journalism and Responsible Reporting in Security Matters; Building Trust for National Unity.”
