By Chiemeka ugwowo, Abuja
Army Chief Tasks Media to Lead Battle Against Fake News
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called on media professionals to take the lead in countering misinformation, stressing that control of the information space is vital for national security and military success.
Speaking on 9 June 2026 at the opening of the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR) Combined First and Second Quarter Media Workshop at the Army War College, Shaibu described strategic communication as a force multiplier in modern military operations. He noted that in today’s information-driven environment, the media is a key partner in shaping public perception, building trust, and preventing adversaries from exploiting information gaps.
Represented by Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi, Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (Army), the COAS emphasized that consistent media engagement and public support are essential across all operational theatres. Transparent communication, he said, strengthens credibility, fosters public confidence, and reinforces national security.
The workshop, themed “Media Integration as a Force Multiplier for Joint and Multi-Agency Operational Success,” provides a platform for sharing ideas, adopting global best practices in conflict-sensitive reporting, and developing coordinated strategies to combat misinformation and disinformation.
Lieutenant General Shaibu highlighted recent operational successes achieved through inter-agency collaboration and intelligence sharing, noting that these achievements must be effectively communicated to sustain public confidence. He praised Acting Director Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, for her leadership in advancing the Army’s strategic communication capabilities.
Colonel Anele, in her welcome remarks, underscored the evolving security landscape, where threats now extend beyond the battlefield into the information domain, including fake news, disinformation, and AI-generated content. She stressed that close collaboration between the military and media is critical to ensuring accurate information dissemination, safeguarding national cohesion, and neutralizing hostile attempts to destabilize the country.
The COAS reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to defending the nation’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and constitutional order, while expressing gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support in strengthening the Armed Forces’ operational effectiveness.
