Hostile propaganda against Nigeria’s armed forces is on the rise, the Defence Headquarters says, much of it amplified through social media by people chasing engagement and financial gain rather than any concern for the consequences to national security.
Speaking during a courtesy visit from the newly elected leadership of the Defence Correspondents’ Association of Nigeria, Director of Defence Media Operations Major General Michael Onoja said countering that misinformation will require closer cooperation between the military and the press, whom he described as partners rather than adversaries. He urged journalists to report responsibly, avoiding coverage that could deepen existing tensions, while reaffirming the military’s own commitment to sharing accurate information and encouraging reporters to seek clarification whenever needed. Some information cannot be released immediately, he acknowledged, but that reflects operational security concerns rather than concealment, since premature disclosure of sensitive details could endanger troops in the field.
Onoja called media operations a critical component of modern military campaigns, central to shaping public perception, countering misinformation and sustaining public confidence, and said that is precisely why his office exists. DECAN President Sunday Odita, in turn, described the relationship as a strategic partnership: while troops defend the nation’s territorial integrity on the battlefield, he said, defence correspondents complement that work by informing and educating the public through accurate, balanced reporting.
