Media Should Stop Terrorists’ Exploitation Of Information Gaps – Army Chief

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt- Gen. Waidi Shaibu, says the media remains a key partner in shaping narratives, building public confidence and denying adversaries the opportunity to exploit information gaps.

This, he said, is because in today’s complex information environment, perception often shapes reality

He charged media professionals to take a leading role in countering misinformation and fake news, emphasising that dominance of the information space is critical to strengthening national security and achieving operational success.

He spoke yesterday at the opening  of the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR) Combined First and Second Quarter Media Workshop 2026, held at the Army War College in Abuja.

The Army chief while addressing the theme, “Media Integration as a Force Multiplier for Joint and Multi-Agency Operational Success,” described the workshop as timely and forward-looking.

The COAS represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (Army), Maj- Gen. Musa Etsu-Ndagi, described strategic communication as a vital force multiplier in modern military operations, noting that effective media integration is indispensable to joint and multi-agency operational success.

He stressed that sustained media engagement and public support are now strategic imperatives across all theatres of operation.

Gen. Shaibu added that transparent and proactive communication enhance credibility, fosters trust and reinforces the overall national security framework.

He said that it provides a critical platform for stakeholders to share ideas, adopt global best practices in conflict-sensitive reporting and develop coordinated strategies to counter misinformation and disinformation.

Shaibu further highlighted the significant operational gains recorded by the Nigerian Army through enhanced inter-agency collaboration, intelligence sharing and unified planning. He emphasized that these successes must be effectively communicated to the public to sustain confidence and prevent adversaries from distorting operational realities.

The Army chief reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Army to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order. He commended the acting director Army Public Relations, Lt-Col. Appolonia Anele, for her leadership in organising the workshop and advancing the strategic communication capabilities of the Nigerian Army.

The COAS also expressed profound appreciation to the president and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his sustained support and strategic guidance towards enhancing the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces.

In her welcome remarks, Col. Appolonia Anele, highlighted the importance of the workshop in addressing Nigeria’s evolving security landscape.

She noted that contemporary threats now extend beyond the battlefield into the information domain, where fake news, misinformation, disinformation and Artificial Intelligence-generated content pose serious risks to national security.