Minister Urges Media, Security Agencies To Unite Against Terrorism, Misinformation

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has described stronger collaboration between the media and security agencies as a critical requirement for safeguarding national security.

he also advised them to promote public trust and advance Nigeria’s nation-building efforts.

Speaking as chairman of the occasion and chief host of the National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja yesterday, Idris described the relationship between the media and security institutions as essential to maintaining peace, unity and national development.

The summit, themed “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building,” brought together journalists, security personnel, communication experts, policymakers, and other stakeholders to explore ways to strengthen cooperation in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.

According to the Minister, both the media and security agencies occupy strategic positions in the nation’s development architecture and share a common responsibility of protecting the national interest.

“While security agencies are entrusted with protecting lives, property and national sovereignty, the media serves as the watchdog of society, the marketplace of ideas and the bridge between government and citizens.

Both institutions share a common objective: safeguarding the national interest and promoting peace, unity and development,” he said.

Idris stressed that effective collaboration, built on mutual respect, professionalism, trust, and a clear understanding of complementary roles, would strengthen national security and enhance public confidence in government institutions.

He noted that Nigeria, like many countries across the world, faces increasingly complex security challenges, including terrorism, violent extremism, cybercrime, organised crime, misinformation, disinformation and separatist agitations, all of which require collective action and strategic responses.

The Minister stated that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has continued to prioritise security as a key pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda through a comprehensive strategy that combines military operations, intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, technological innovation and community engagement.

He highlighted achievements recorded by security agencies under the current administration, including the arrest and neutralisation of terrorists, bandits and kidnappers, the dismantling of criminal camps, and the rescue of kidnapped victims across various parts of the country.

Idris further disclosed that the Federal Government has invested heavily in modern military equipment, intelligence infrastructure, surveillance technologies, and capacity-building for security personnel to improve operational effectiveness and strengthen the nation’s ability to respond to evolving threats.

Beyond security operations, he said the government remains committed to addressing the root causes of insecurity through economic reforms, youth empowerment initiatives, infrastructure development, educational opportunities and social intervention programmes.

The Minister also emphasised the importance of responsible journalism in an era dominated by the rapid spread of misinformation, fake news and disinformation across digital platforms.

Speaking at the summit, President and Chairman of the Council of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr Ike Neliaku, underscored the critical role of the media and public relations professionals in strengthening democracy, fostering dialogue, and advancing national development.

Neliaku commended the leadership of the NUJ under its National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, for promoting collaboration among institutions vital to national development.

According to him, democracy cannot thrive without the active involvement of both the media and security institutions.

“For democracy to work, the media is very critical. For democracy to work, security is also very critical. Democracy is strengthened by both security and the media,” he said.

The NIPR President stressed that dialogue remains fundamental to democratic governance, noting that the media plays a pivotal role in engaging citizens and ensuring that they remain informed and actively involved in national affairs.

He explained that democracy, dialogue and citizen participation ultimately lead to development, which he described as the primary objective of governance and nation-building.

Neliaku further highlighted the importance of relationship-building, noting that both journalism and public relations are fundamentally engaged in fostering understanding, trust and cooperation among citizens and institutions.

Also speaking, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, called for stronger collaboration between the media and security agencies to effectively address Nigeria’s growing security challenges and promote national development.

Yahya said the country continues to grapple with complex and evolving threats, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime, misinformation, disinformation, violent extremism and separatist agitations.

“We meet at a period when our nation continues to confront complex and evolving security challenges that demand collective action, strategic thinking, sustained collaboration and stronger partnerships among all stakeholders,” he said.

The NUJ President stressed that national security should not be viewed solely as the responsibility of security agencies, noting that government institutions, the media, civil society organisations and citizens all have critical roles to play in safeguarding the nation.

He explained that one of the key commitments he made upon assuming office in 2024 was to create platforms that would promote professional development, strengthen engagement with critical national institutions and position the media as a constructive partner in addressing national challenges.