Calls for Stronger Synergy to Defeat Boko Haram, Banditry, and Insecurity
By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has declared that Nigeria’s battle against terrorism, banditry, and other crimes cannot be won by firepower alone but demands a united front between the military and the media.
Speaking in Maiduguri at the One-Day 3rd Quarter Media Stakeholders Seminar, themed “Consolidating Media-Military Synergy for Sustainable Peace in Nigeria,” General Musa described media-military collaboration as a “strategic cornerstone” for defeating Boko Haram, safeguarding national unity, and strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
Represented by Major General Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, the CDS stressed that “military operations do not exist in isolation,” noting that information management, public perception, and strategic communication are as critical as combat operations.
> “Peace and security cannot be sustained by force alone; they must be nurtured through positive narratives, civic engagement, and inclusive communication. This is where the media have a unique and powerful role to play,” General Musa emphasized.
The seminar, held at the Nigerian Army Officers’ Mess and Suite, Maimalari Cantonment, brought together senior military commanders, academics, journalists, and other stakeholders, all committed to charting a new path of cooperation.
General Musa praised troops of Operation Hadin Kai led by Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar for their relentless fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the Northeast, assuring that the welfare of soldiers remains a top priority.
Media as a Battlefield
Delivering a keynote address, Major General Abubakar underscored that Nigeria’s wars are fought both on the battlefield and in the arena of public perception.
He warned against sensationalism and fake news, stressing that misinformation can sabotage military operations and endanger national security.
“These challenges must be confronted not by pointing fingers but by building bridges,” Abubakar said, calling for structured communication protocols and periodic training for both journalists and military personnel in conflict-sensitive reporting and media relations.
> “In consolidating media-military synergy, we are not only strengthening our national security framework, we are also cultivating the very soil from which peace can grow and thrive,” he declared.
Zulum Backs Media Engagement
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, represented by Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar, commended the Armed Forces for their sacrifices and lauded the Defence Headquarters for fostering dialogue with the press.
He urged journalists to shun fake news and sensational headlines, stressing that reckless reporting can undermine counterterrorism operations and erode governance and development gains.
Experts Weigh In
Renowned scholars enriched the seminar with thought-provoking presentations. Professor Usman Tar, a former Nigerian Defence Academy lecturer, delivered a paper on “Strategic Communication as a Tool for Strengthening Civil-Military Relations in Conflict Zones.”
Similarly, Professor Abubakar Mu’azu of the University of Maiduguri’s Mass Communication Department spoke on “Ethical Journalism and Responsible Reporting in Security Matters: Building Trust for National Unity.”
The seminar ended with a resounding call for media and military to work as partners in peace, using “the pen and the sword, the lens and the uniform” to secure Nigeria’s future.
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