By Omoyeni Ojeifo
Defence Minister General Christopher Musa has called for a stronger partnership between the media and the military, warning that fake news and inaccurate reporting sabotage counterterrorism efforts.
Featuring on Arise Television on Friday monitored by Persecondnews, Musa explained that fighting insurgents is incredibly complex because they blend into civilian populations.
This asymmetric warfare forces the military to operate under highly sensitive conditions where precision, caution, and accurate reporting are vital.
“We want to appeal to the media to understand that we are partners in progress, we’re not enemies. We are all working towards the same goal of ensuring that this country remains safe, and the way information is managed is very critical to that success,” he said.
According to him, this complexity makes communication around security operations highly sensitive, as unverified or inaccurate reports can quickly spread fear, confusion, and misinterpretation among the public.
Musa cautioned that some media reports do not always reflect verified information, especially on casualty figures and security incidents, warning that such narratives can distort public perception and weaken confidence in ongoing operations.
“There are situations where even when there were no attacks, they report that 40 people have been killed or this has happened. When these things go out without proper verification, it creates fear in the public and gives a wrong impression of what is actually happening on the ground,” he noted.
He stressed that misinformation does not only affect public trust but can also undermine morale within the armed forces and complicate operations that require accuracy, timing, and coordination in the field.
“We must come together to understand this is our country. If Nigeria fails, if the armed forces fail, nobody is even able to sit in any office to write any report. That is why we all have a responsibility to be careful with how we communicate sensitive security issues,” the minister emphasized.
He further noted that counterinsurgency operations often require careful execution to avoid civilian casualties, adding that troops sometimes suspend or adjust planned actions when targets are found to be embedded within civilian areas.
“Most times you want to conduct operations, but because these guys blend within civilians, you are forced to call off the attack. We do this deliberately to avoid killing innocent people, even though it slows down the process and makes the job more difficult.”
He maintained that responsible journalism is essential in conflict reporting, stressing that verification, balance, and context must guide coverage of security incidents to ensure accurate public information without compromising ongoing operations.
Musa said a stronger collaboration between the media and the armed forces is necessary to strengthen public trust, improve transparency, and ensure both institutions work in alignment toward national security rather than at cross purposes.
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