Nigeria’s defence chief warns media against ‘amplifying’ terrorist propaganda

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence has urged media organisations to exercise “professionalism” in their reporting, warning that disseminating insurgent propaganda risks demoralising front-line troops. General Christopher Musa (rtd) made the remarks on Wednesday following a high-level strategic review with the country’s top military brass in Abuja. The meeting comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with a complex security landscape, ranging from long-running Islamist insurgencies in the northeast to widespread banditry and kidnappings in the northwest.

‘Significant losses’

Addressing journalists after the briefing, Gen. Musa acknowledged that while the military had “recorded casualties” in recent operations, security forces were gaining the upper hand.”The security forces have continued to inflict significant losses on terrorists and bandits,” he said, citing the elimination of several high-profile commanders and the destruction of insurgent infrastructure. However, the General expressed concern over the “undue publicity” often afforded to criminal elements. He cautioned that:Media reports should not serve as a platform for terrorist messaging. Reporting must be responsible to avoid damaging troop morale. The fight against insecurity remains a “collective effort” requiring public cooperation.

A warning to accomplices

The Minister also issued a stern warning to civilians, stating that any individual found providing logistical support or intelligence to criminal groups would be treated as “accomplices.”In a move to reassure a public weary of persistent insecurity, Gen. Musa reiterated the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to provide the military with the necessary resources to restore order.

High-level attendance

The strategic session included Nigeria’s most senior military figures:General Olufemi Oloyede, Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, Chief of Army Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, Chief of Naval Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, Chief of Air Staff.

The call for media restraint is a recurring theme in Nigeria’s security discourse, as the government seeks to control the narrative in an era of rapid digital information sharing and viral insurgent videos.