COAS Charges Media to Lead Fight Against Fake News, Strengthen National Security
ABUJA – The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called on media professionals to take a frontline role in combating fake news, misinformation, and disinformation, stressing that dominating the information space is now essential to national security and operational success. The Army Chief made the call while declaring open the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR) Combined First and Second Quarter Media Workshop 2026 at the Army War College Nigeria, Abuja. Speaking through the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (Army), Major General Mustapha Etsu-Ndagi, Lieutenant General Shaibu described strategic communication as a critical force multiplier in modern military operations. He noted that in an era where public perception often shapes reality, effective media engagement remains vital for building trust, shaping accurate narratives, and preventing adversaries from exploiting information gaps.
According to the COAS, sustained collaboration between the military and the media has become a strategic necessity in addressing contemporary security challenges. He emphasized that transparent, timely, and proactive communication strengthens public confidence and reinforces the nation’s overall security architecture. Addressing the workshop’s theme, “Media Integration as a Force Multiplier for Joint and Multi-Agency Operational Success,” the Army Chief described the forum as timely and relevant, providing an avenue for stakeholders to exchange ideas, adopt global best practices in conflict-sensitive reporting, and develop coordinated approaches to countering false narratives. Lieutenant General Shaibu also highlighted the operational successes recorded through enhanced inter-agency cooperation, intelligence sharing, and unified planning among security agencies. He stressed the need for such achievements to be effectively communicated to Nigerians to sustain public support and deny hostile elements the opportunity to distort operational realities. Reaffirming the Nigerian Army’s commitment to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and constitutional order, the COAS commended the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, for her leadership in advancing the Army’s strategic communication objectives.
He further expressed appreciation to President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his continued support and strategic guidance in strengthening the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces. Earlier, in her welcome address, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, underscored the growing importance of information management in Nigeria’s evolving security environment. She noted that emerging threats now extend beyond the battlefield into the digital space, where fake news, misinformation, disinformation, and Artificial Intelligence-generated content pose significant risks to national stability. Lieutenant Colonel Anele stressed that stronger collaboration between the military and media practitioners is crucial to ensuring accurate information dissemination, promoting national cohesion, and preventing hostile actors from exploiting the information environment to undermine security efforts. She also thanked the Chief of Army Staff for his continued investment in personnel development, modernization, and strategic communication initiatives aimed at enhancing the Nigerian Army’s ability to respond effectively to current and emerging security challenges.
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