The Federal Government is considering a plan to embed journalists with military personnel during select operations to improve security reporting and give Nigerians direct insight into counterinsurgency efforts.
Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, disclosed this on Thursday at the National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in Abuja.
Represented by his Special Adviser, Rear Admiral Olusanya Bankole, Musa said the proposed arrangement would deepen collaboration between the media and security agencies while promoting transparency in military operations.
He noted that the media now plays a strategic role in shaping public perception of security operations and national stability.
“Security management now extends beyond conventional battlefields. Modern conflicts are increasingly influenced by information and narratives, making the media an important stakeholder in our security architecture,” the minister said.
Musa added that the success of operations should not be measured only by military victories, but also by citizens’ confidence in security institutions.
“More than ever before, the media are not only enablers; they are stabilizers of government,” he said.
“The defence ministry is exploring arrangements to embed journalists with military units during operations to enable more accurate reporting and deeper understanding of operational realities,” Musa stated.
He said the initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen engagement with the media and ensure information about military operations is conveyed accurately.
The minister stressed that improved cooperation between journalists and security agencies would build public trust and enhance national security outcomes.
The proposal comes as Nigeria continues to battle insurgency and other security threats. Security agencies have often faced criticism over limited access to operational areas, a gap that has fuelled misinformation and public skepticism about frontline developments.
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