Nigerians have been urged to assist the Nigerian Army in its fight against terrorists and other security challenges.
The call was made on Thursday at the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Media Chat for the Fourth Quarter of 2025 in Jos, Plateau State, by Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu.
Following the recent attack on the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, where gunmen killed worshippers and kidnapped many others, the appeal is being made in response to new insecurity in other regions of the nation.
Concerns about an increase in terrorist and bandit attacks in the North-Central have been rekindled by the occurrence, which led to protests by young people who stopped a major route. Since then, Kwara officials have demanded immediate security support.
Security forces in Kebbi State are currently investigating the recent kidnapping at a girls’ secondary school in Maga, Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area, where pupils were abducted during a predawn raid and the school’s vice-principal was assassinated. As rescue operations continue, the attack has received worldwide condemnation and increased pressure on security authorities.
Shaibu urged media professionals to maintain impartial, trustworthy, equitable, and responsible reporting on the Nigerian Army’s operations, highlighting the vital role that the media plays in influencing public opinion and promoting unity of purpose.
“We must maintain regular communication channels to ensure transparent reporting on military operations, timely dissemination of information, countering disinformation and misinformation while building public confidence.
“As the Army intensifies operations to eliminate the threats bedevilling our beloved country, I call on all Nigerians to support the Nigerian Army and urge the media to practise responsible and balanced reporting,” Shaibu said.
The Army Chief, represented by Major General E. F. Oyinlola, General Officer Commanding 3 Division, also emphasised the necessity for Nigerians to confirm information that could jeopardise national security and unity before sharing it with the public in order to prevent the spread of false information or inflammatory content that is frequently produced using artificial intelligence.
“While the pen is considered mightier than the sword, we can all agree that our current security environment demands stronger cooperation and partnership between the pen and the sword, which in this regard represent the media and the Army. As the Nigerian Army enhances its pursuit of national security objectives, the media’s pivotal role in shaping public opinion, informing the public, and fostering unity of purpose cannot be overstated.
“Therefore, we must maintain regular communication channels to ensure transparent reporting on military operations, timely dissemination of information, countering disinformation and misinformation while building public confidence. I therefore urge media practitioners to uphold the tenets of objective, credible, fair, and responsible reporting on Nigerian Army activities while striking a balance between national security interests and the people’s right to information.
“It is also crucial to verify content that could undermine national unity and security before disseminating it to the public, to avoid spreading misinformation or inflammatory content often created using Artificial Intelligence. As the Army intensifies operations to eliminate the threats bedevilling our beloved country, I call on all Nigerians to support the Nigerian Army and urge the media to practise responsible and balanced reporting.”
Maj Gen Musa Etsu-Ndagi, Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, reiterated Shaibu’s remarks, emphasising the media’s critical role in influencing public opinion and advancing knowledge of security-related matters.
Additionally, Etsu-Ndagi reassured the media that the Nigerian Army is still dedicated to providing accurate and thorough information. She also stated that the Army is dedicated to building relationships that foster understanding and unity among the populace in addition to protecting the country.
Join Our Social Media Channels:
WhatsApp: NaijaEyes
Facebook: NaijaEyes
Twitter: NaijaEyes
Instagram: NaijaEyes
TikTok: NaijaEyes
