The Nigerian Army has appealed to citizens to lend stronger support to ongoing operations aimed at defeating terrorists and other criminal groups threatening national security.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, made the call on Thursday during the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Media Chat for the fourth quarter of 2025, held in Jos, Plateau State.
Shaibu, represented by the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Major General E. F. Oyinlola, said the appeal comes at a critical time when renewed attacks across the country are deepening concerns about public safety.
He referenced recent incidents, including last week’s attack on the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, where gunmen killed worshippers and abducted several others—an incident that sparked protests and roadblocks by angry youths.
Additionally, security agencies in Kebbi State are still responding to the abduction of students and the killing of a vice-principal during a pre-dawn raid on a girls’ secondary school in Maga, Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area.
“These unfortunate incidents remind us of the evolving threats in our security landscape,” Shaibu said.
“As the Army intensifies operations to eliminate these dangers, I call on all Nigerians to support the Nigerian Army and urge the media to practise responsible and balanced reporting.”
Shaibu emphasized the central role of the media in shaping national discourse and fostering cooperation, urging journalists to help counter misinformation, especially content manipulated through artificial intelligence.
“We must maintain regular communication channels to ensure transparent reporting on military operations, timely dissemination of information, and the building of public confidence,” he noted.
“It is crucial to verify content that could undermine national unity and security before sharing it. Misinformation or inflammatory material created using AI can be dangerous.”
The Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi, echoed these concerns, stressing that strategic communication is essential to improving the public’s understanding of ongoing security efforts.
“The media plays a pivotal role in moulding perceptions,” Etsu-Ndagi said.
“The Nigerian Army remains committed to providing accurate, timely, and comprehensive information. Our goal is not just to safeguard the nation but to build relationships that promote unity and mutual understanding.”
This quarter’s media chat, themed “The Nigerian Security Environment: Role of Strategic Communication in Strengthening Civil-Military Relations,” featured expert presentations on the impact of emerging technologies and the media’s role in addressing security challenges.
A panel of discussants at the event emphasized the need for synergy between the Army and the media, noting that both institutions aim to serve the national interest.
They agreed that “the military and the media are working towards the same goal from different angles and must always find common ground that places national security above all other considerations.”
