The current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fully committed to tackling insecurity in Nigeria, according to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
Speaking on Wednesday at the Defence Headquarters First Quarter Media Stakeholders Seminar in Abuja, Idris emphasised that the government’s dedication to addressing security challenges is clear through significant investments in modern military assets, ongoing training and retraining of the Armed Forces and security personnel, and enhanced intelligence-gathering efforts at all levels.
The seminar, themed “Media as a Key Component of Joint Task Force Commanders’ Operational Success,” highlighted the role of the media in supporting security operations and the administration’s broader efforts to combat insecurity across the country.
He said: “Insecurity and terrorism are not uniquely Nigerian challenges – they are global threats that even the most advanced and sophisticated nations of the world continue to grapple with. From Europe to the Middle East, from North America to Africa, the reality of today’s world is that no country is entirely immune from the scourge of violent extremism and organised criminality.
“However, what truly makes the difference is how nations respond. The Tinubu administration is unrelenting in its commitment to overcoming these threats and ensuring the safety and security of all Nigerians. Under the 8-Point Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration, the cardinal objective is undoubtedly to guarantee our national security through a clear and strategic focus on investing in the right tools, systems, and personnel to secure our nation.
“This includes massive investments in the acquisition of modern military assets, the training and retraining of our armed forces and security personnel, and the strengthening of intelligence-gathering mechanisms across all levels. These efforts reflect the seriousness with which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is confronting the security challenge head-on.”
The Minister, who was represented by the Director-General of Voice of Minister, Jibrin Ndace, described the seminar as “timely and noble initiative”, which reflects deep understanding of the Chief of Defence on the critical role of communication in modern warfare, “especially in an era where information can influence outcomes as much as firepower.”
He noted that strengthening the partnership between the military and the media was essential not only for operational success but for building public trust and fostering a national security-conscious citizenry.
“The media, without a doubt, is a worthy partner in our national security architecture. As the watchdog of society, the press must strike a delicate balance between the public’s right to know and the imperative to protect national interest,” Idris said.
He urged the media to deny terrorists the oxygen of publicity by refusing to give prominence to their “cowardly acts”, but instead amplify the heroism of our Armed Forces, the resilience of affected communities, and the progress being made in the pursuit of peace.
The Minister said: “Let us be clear: whether they are called Boko Haram, bandits, terrorists, kidnappers, unknown gunmen — they are all criminals, enemies of the Nigerian state, and must be treated as such. The responsibility to defeat them rests on all of us, in government, in the military, and in the media.
“National security is a collective responsibility, and the media plays a pivotal role in educating and enlightening the populace on how they can contribute meaningfully to this cause.
“Conversely, what the media must not amplify, in the spirit of unity and national cohesion, is negative and incendiary rhetoric that trails communal clashes as seen in recent situations.
“The media must also serve as a platform to mobilise public support for military operations. We must encourage citizens to volunteer timely and useful information to security agencies.”
In his remarks, Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru, said the military must explore innovative ways to pass adequate information about troops operations to the public.
Badaru said that by doing so it would be able to win public trust, enhance unity and check fake news.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, said the seminar marked a significant milestone in our collective effort to enhance our efficacy of media operations within the frameworks of Nigeria’s defence objectives.
The CDS, who was represented by Chief of Defence Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal Sayo Olatunde, said the event was significant due to the evolution of the role of the media in modern warfare beyond its traditional scope of information dissemination.
He said: “Today, media are integral to the execution of tactical, operational, and strategic plans and further serve as a powerful tool for shaping public perceptions and opinions while ensuring transparency and accountability among military forces.
“The contemporary security landscape is not only characterised by conventional and asymmetric threats but also involves a battle of narrative among opposing forces. Accordingly, the information space is becoming as equally contested as the battlefield. This implies that how we communicate our mission, counter misinformation, and maintain public trust is crucial to the outcome of Joint Task Force operations.
“This is because contemporary military operations do not take place in isolation, as every action of a Joint Task Force is constantly subjected to public scrutiny. Implicitly, the way our operations are perceived by local, public, and international audiences determines their effectiveness.”
The CDS said that while media operations offer immense strategic benefits, they also pose significant challenges, such as the rise of fake news and adversarial misinformation.
“The 24-hour news cycle and social media demand real-time responses requiring Joint Task Force commanders to maintain constant vigilance.
“It is on this premise that it becomes crucial that media operations be professionalised, proactive, and fully integrated into operational planning. Accordingly, commanders and media professionals must work together to ensure that the right messages are conveyed at the right time to the right audience,” the CDS said.
