By Odita Sunday
The Nigerian Army has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening collaboration with the media to ensure accurate and responsible reportage of military operations, particularly in the face of emerging threats posed by misinformation and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven fake content.
Speaking at the opening of the Third and Fourth Quarters Media Training Seminar organized by the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR) at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lt. Colonel Appolonia Anele, emphasized that the media remains a strategic partner in the nation’s security architecture.
The seminar, themed “Enhancing Responsible Media Reportage of the Nigerian Army Operations in a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment for Enhanced National Security,” brought together officers of the Directorate, defence correspondents, and spokespersons from other security agencies to deliberate on strengthening military-media synergy in combating disinformation and enhancing public trust.
Lt Col Anele, who welcomed participants on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Olufemi Oluyede, represented by the Commander, Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command, Maj Gen MT Abdullahi , noted that the session was designed to reinforce professionalism and collective responsibility in the information space.
She warned that fake news, doctored images, and AI-generated deepfakes now pose as serious a threat as enemy propaganda, saying, “Warfare is not fought solely with weapons but also in the information domain.”
She urged journalists and media practitioners to prioritize verification, ethics, and patriotism in their reporting to counter misinformation and safeguard national unity.
According to her, the Directorate remains committed to providing timely and verifiable information that ensures responsible reporting without compromising national security. “Our troops must win not only battles on the field but also the battles of perception in the public domain,” she added.
Lt Col Anele expressed gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff for his continuous support for initiatives that promote professional military-media relations and appreciated participants and media partners for their commitment to national security communication.
The training seminar is expected to produce actionable recommendations for countering AI-driven disinformation, promoting accurate media narratives, and enhancing the credibility of both the Nigerian Army and the press in safeguarding Nigeria’s stability.