Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has called on media professionals to play a more strategic role in the country’s fight against terrorism and insurgency, describing the press as a “critical force multiplier” in modern warfare.
Addressing top media executives today in Abuja at an expanded engagement session, General Musa stressed that the fight against insecurity is no longer limited to the battlefield, but also includes a fierce contest of narratives and public perception.
“Today’s conflict isn’t just about weapons it’s about winning minds,” he said. “The media’s voice can either strengthen national unity or sow division, which is why we must work together with professionalism and trust.”
The CDS emphasized the need for balanced and factual reporting on security operations, noting that how stories are framed can influence both national morale and international opinion.
“In this perception-driven era, the media is not a bystander. You are central to the peacebuilding process,” he added.
Giving insight into recent security operations, Deputy Director of Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Ibrahim Abu-Mawashi, revealed that 6,260 terrorists have been killed in joint military operations across the country over the last two years.
He also reported that 14,138 terrorists and criminal elements were arrested and 5,365 civilians rescued during the same period. A large cache of weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition were also recovered by troops.