The Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu, has declared that public support for military operations remains indispensable to the success of security efforts across the country, warning that disinformation and misinformation pose serious threats to national security.
Shaibu stated this on Tuesday in Abuja during the opening ceremony of the Directorate of Army Public Relations Combined First and Second Quarters Media Workshop 2026, themed “Media Integration as a Force Multiplier for Joint and Multi-Agency Operational Success.”
Represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (Army), Musa Etsu-Ndagi, the Army Chief stressed that military operations cannot succeed in isolation without the understanding, trust, and cooperation of the Nigerian public.
According to him, support from citizens is not only beneficial but a strategic necessity capable of enhancing operational effectiveness and strengthening national security outcomes.
“Public support is not merely desirable; it is a strategic necessity for operational success. It enhances cooperation, strengthens public confidence and contributes significantly to the attainment of national security objectives,” Shaibu said.
He noted that in modern warfare and internal security operations, military success extends beyond combat engagements and increasingly depends on effective communication, public perception, and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
The Army Chief explained that the role of the media has become increasingly critical in shaping public understanding of security operations, especially at a time when false narratives and propaganda can spread rapidly through digital platforms.
He warned that unchecked disinformation could undermine military operations, erode public trust, and create confusion capable of aiding criminal and insurgent elements.
“This workshop is timely because information management is now an integral part of operational success. When left unchecked, disinformation can be as damaging as a direct security threat,” he said.
Shaibu emphasized that accurate and timely dissemination of information is essential to sustaining confidence in security institutions and ensuring that citizens remain properly informed about military activities across the country.
“Accurate and timely dissemination of information is essential for projecting factual narratives, countering misinformation and reinforcing public confidence in the nation’s security institutions,” he added.
He maintained that responsible media engagement would help bridge the gap between the military and the civilian population, particularly in conflict-prone areas where misinformation often fuels fear, distrust, and hostility.
According to him, a well-informed public is more likely to support military operations and cooperate with security agencies in intelligence gathering and community-based security efforts.
The Army Chief further stressed the need for stronger collaboration among the military, the media, and other security agencies in tackling the country’s numerous security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft, and communal violence.
He described media integration as a “force multiplier,” capable of improving coordination among agencies and enhancing the effectiveness of joint operations.
Shaibu also urged Army Public Relations officers and media professionals to remain committed to professionalism, accuracy, and ethical communication practices, especially in an era dominated by social media and instant information sharing.
He said irresponsible reporting and the circulation of unverified content could have devastating consequences for national security operations and public morale.
The workshop, which brought together military public relations officers, media practitioners, and communication experts, is expected to focus on strategies for effective information management, crisis communication, inter-agency collaboration, and the role of media in supporting military operations.
Participants are also expected to examine emerging trends in information warfare, digital communication, and the challenges posed by fake news and hostile propaganda in contemporary security environments.
Observers say the Army’s renewed emphasis on media integration reflects growing recognition within security circles that public perception and strategic communication have become central components of modern security operations.
The event comes amid ongoing military operations in different parts of the country as security agencies continue efforts to combat insurgency, criminality, and other threats to national stability.
