The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to tackling insecurity across the North Central region, with renewed focus on troubled states such as Benue, Plateau, and Kwara.
Represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Ibadan, Major General Obinna Onubogu, the COAS made this known during a high-level Civil-Military Media Chat organized by the Nigerian Army Headquarters, Department of Civil-Military Affairs, in Akure, Ondo State. Themed “Media Collaboration: Panacea for Enhanced National Security and Development,” the forum served as a convergence point for military leaders, media professionals, security operatives, and communication experts.
In his keynote address, Lt. Gen. Oluyede, through his representative, emphasized the strategic importance of a robust partnership between the military and the media in advancing national security and fostering development. He noted that misinformation and unchecked narratives, especially on digital platforms, remain critical challenges to peace and unity in Nigeria.
Major General Onubogu stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued “very clear orders” to the military to intensify operations against criminal elements disturbing the peace in affected regions. He stressed that the military is fully mobilized to respond accordingly.
Key discussions at the chat included:
Establishment of a joint fact-verification desk comprising military, journalists, and other security agencies.
Strengthening of inter-agency information-sharing protocols to ensure swift responses during emergencies.
Institutionalization of regular media-security stakeholder engagements.
Promotion of conflict-sensitive, ethical, and responsible journalism.
Participants unanimously agreed that the initiative was timely and forward-thinking. Media practitioners, in particular, called on the military to enhance its openness through regular briefings and the release of verifiable information to guide accurate reporting without endangering national security.
In his closing remarks, a representative of the Department of Civil-Military Affairs reaffirmed the Army’s dedication to sustaining strategic partnerships that prioritize peace, national unity, and developmental communication.
The event concluded with a joint resolution to uphold the collaboration, establish clear communication frameworks, and place national interest at the forefront of public engagement efforts.
