Abuja: The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, says the media remains a powerful and central force in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in the country.
Musa stated this at the Expanded Chat with Media Executives on Thursday in Abuja, marking his two years in office.
He said the military had been contending with an array of adaptive and unconventional threats from non-state actors, including terrorism, insurgency, banditry, secessionist violence and other forms of organised crime.
He says these multifaceted threats underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive, multidimensional and multidisciplinary approach.
“In response, the Armed Forces have fully embraced the Whole-of-Society Approach: a framework that emphasises collaboration among the military, government institutions and the people as a unified trinity in the fight against insecurity,” he said.
The CDS said the engagement aimed to foster direct interaction with media executives nationwide, saying the military believed that truth and trust were the cornerstones of national resilience.
He reiterated that media reports on military operations significantly impact public perception and morale, both locally and internationally.
“In today’s battles, particularly against terrorism and insurgency, we are not only engaged in physical combat but also fighting a war for the hearts and minds of the people.
“In this non-kinetic theatre, the media is a powerful force.
“The perception battle, which entails controlling the narrative and countering misinformation and disinformation, is essential to strategic success.
“That is why we seek a professional, objective and nation-oriented partnership with the media,” he said.
Musa reaffirmed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain unwavering in their mission to protect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He said that while kinetic operations were ongoing across all theatres, the military had also come to fully appreciate the importance of non-kinetic strategies, which constitute over 70 per cent of the efforts required in modern asymmetric warfare.
“In this context, the media is not just a supporting actor but a central player.
“Nigerians are deeply interested in understanding their security situation and prospects; hence, the narratives you shape as media professionals will significantly influence public sentiment, national unity and peacebuilding,” he said.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, represented by Maj.-Gen. Paul Koughna said the Nigerian Army had achieved tremendous operational successes in different parts of the country in the last two years.
Oluyede said the army had neutralised several high-profile terrorists in the North East, North West, North Central, and South East during the period under review.
He reiterated the Nigerian army’s commitment to working with other services and security agencies to rid the nation of security threats.
On his part, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm Emmanuel Ogalla, said the Nigerian Navy had remained resolute in guaranteeing freedom of the seas by responding effectively to current and emerging threats.
Ogalla, represented by the Director of Operations, Naval Headquarters, Rear Adm. Olusegun Soyemi, said that the navy had ensured improved protection of Nigeria’s maritime interests towards enhanced economic prosperity and national development since June 2023.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, said the Nigerian Air Force had reached new operational capabilities in the last two years by acquiring more platforms.
Abubakar, represented by the Director of Civil-Military Cooperation, AVM Edward Gabkwet, said the NAF had taken delivery of 15 brand new aircraft, including six T-129 Attack Helicopters, two Augusta Westland 109 trekkers from Italy, three Pitchcock King Aircraft, and four Diamond aircraft.
He said NAF expects 49 aircraft in its inventory before the end of 2026.
According to him, the platforms had enabled the service to fly about 4,500 hours in 2,304 sorties for 1,974 counter-terrorism operations within the last year.
“Similarly, the Nigerian Air Force moved over 4,670 hours in 2,732 sorties for 2,610 emissions as well as 1,450 hours in 453 sorties for 360 counter-crude oil emissions between last year and the year before,” he said.