The Nigerian Army has placed strategic communication at the centre of contemporary security operations, with the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, warning that the battle against terrorism, banditry and other criminal threats now extends beyond physical operations into the information environment.
Desk: Defence & Security
Date: 9 June 2026
Time: 15:30 WAT
Location: 📍 Abuja, Nigeria
Author: Nokai Origin
Represented by the Chief of Civil Military Affairs (Army), Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi, at the opening of the Directorate of Army Public Relations Combined First and Second Quarters Media Workshop 2026 in Abuja, the Army Chief described responsible media engagement as a critical component of operational success in an era where perception, information credibility and public confidence increasingly influence security outcomes.
The information battlefield and national security
Lieutenant General Shaibu noted that ongoing successes against terrorists, bandits, economic saboteurs and other criminal elements require sustained partnership with the media, stressing that public support is not merely desirable but a strategic necessity for military operations.
According to the Army Chief, misinformation, disinformation and fake news have become tools capable of weakening public confidence, disrupting national cohesion and undermining security efforts if left unchecked.
He argued that beyond the traditional role of informing citizens, the media has become a key instrument in shaping narratives, countering adversarial propaganda and strengthening the relationship between security institutions and the public.
Security operations beyond the battlefield
The Army Chief’s position reflects a broader shift in modern security thinking, where military effectiveness is no longer measured only by battlefield outcomes but also by the ability to communicate realities, sustain trust and prevent hostile actors from controlling public perception.
He stated that the Nigerian Army remains committed to transforming into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of responding to evolving threats within a joint and multi-agency environment.
The command philosophy, he noted, recognises that no single institution can independently overcome complex security challenges without synergy among security agencies and strategic partnerships with critical stakeholders, particularly the media.
Operational gains and the responsibility of communication
Lieutenant General Shaibu highlighted that the Nigerian Army continues to record operational successes across various theatres through improved inter-agency cooperation, intelligence sharing, coordinated planning and the commitment of troops.
However, he stressed that operational achievements must be complemented by effective strategic communication capable of projecting accurate narratives and reinforcing citizens’ confidence in security institutions.
For the Army Chief, an informed citizenry strengthens national resilience by encouraging cooperation, improving intelligence flow and boosting the morale of personnel operating in challenging environments.
DAPR: Building a professional media-security partnership
In her welcome address, the Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Apollonia Anele, described the workshop theme, “Media Integration as a Force Multiplier for Joint and Multi-Agency Operational Success,” as a reflection of the changing realities of modern security engagements.
Colonel Anele noted that the media space has become a critical domain in national security, especially with the spread of fake news, information disorders and emerging technologies capable of influencing public perception.
She emphasised that the partnership between the military and the media must be built on mutual trust, professionalism, transparency and shared responsibility toward national stability.
The Army spokesperson disclosed that the workshop was designed to strengthen the capacity of officers and defence correspondents on contemporary media engagement, strategic communication and responsible reporting.
A strategic communication doctrine for the future
The message from the workshop points to a growing recognition that security campaigns require more than operational deployments.
As threats become increasingly connected to information manipulation and public perception, the ability to communicate accurately, build trust and sustain national support is becoming an essential element of security architecture.
The Nigerian Army’s engagement with media stakeholders signals an effort to align operational effectiveness with strategic communication, ensuring that the fight against insecurity is supported by both military capability and informed public participation.
🏷️ Tags: Nigerian Army, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Defence Communication, Strategic Communication, Military Operations, National Security, Media Relations, Counter Terrorism
#NigerianArmy #Defence #Security #StrategicCommunication #MediaRelations #NationalSecurity #ZigDiaries
~2.png)
0 Comments