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.
