The Nigerian Army has appealed to citizens to strengthen their support for ongoing military operations aimed at tackling terrorism, banditry, and other security threats across the country.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, made the call on Thursday during the Fourth Quarter 2025 Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Media Chat held in Jos, Plateau State. He warned that emerging security challenges require stronger cooperation between the military, the media, and the public.

Shaibu’s appeal follows renewed attacks in parts of the country, including the invasion of the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, where gunmen killed worshippers and abducted several others. The attack triggered youth protests that shut down a major highway, prompting state authorities to request urgent security reinforcement.

In Kebbi State, security personnel are still responding to the abduction at a girls’ secondary school in Maga, Danko-Wasagu LGA. During the pre-dawn raid, gunmen killed the school’s vice-principal and kidnapped several students, drawing widespread condemnation and increasing pressure on security agencies as rescue operations continue.

Addressing media practitioners, Shaibu stressed the need for responsible, balanced, and fact-based reporting, warning that misinformation especially content generated with artificial intelligence—could further inflame tensions.

“We must maintain regular communication channels to ensure transparent reporting on military operations, timely dissemination of information, countering disinformation and misinformation while building public confidence,” he said.

Represented by the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Maj. Gen. E. F. Oyinlola, the Army Chief urged Nigerians to verify sensitive content before sharing, noting that false information can undermine national unity.

“While the pen is considered mightier than the sword, our current security environment demands stronger cooperation between the pen and the sword,” he added, stressing that the media’s role in shaping public opinion remains critical to national stability.

The Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Maj. Gen. Musa Etsu-Ndagi, reinforced the Army’s commitment to providing accurate and timely information, saying the military is not only focused on securing the nation but also on building stronger relationships with civil society.

The event, themed “The Nigerian Security Environment: Role of Strategic Communication in Strengthening Civil-Military Relations,” featured presentations on the impact of media and emerging technologies on national security. A panel of experts concluded that the military and the media must prioritise national interest while performing their respective responsibilities.