FG considers embedding journalists with troops during military operations

The Federal Government is considering a new initiative that would allow journalists to accompany military personnel during selected operations to improve security reporting and provide the public with greater insight into the country’s counterinsurgency and internal security efforts.

 

The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, disclosed the proposal on Thursday at the National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abuja.

 

Represented by his Special Adviser, Rear Admiral Olusanya Bankole, the minister said the planned arrangement is aimed at strengthening collaboration between the media and security agencies while promoting greater transparency in military operations.

 

Musa noted that the media plays a strategic role in shaping public perception of security operations and national stability, stressing that modern security management extends beyond the battlefield.

 

He explained that contemporary conflicts are increasingly influenced by information and public narratives, making the media a key stakeholder in Nigeria’s security architecture.

 

According to him, the success of military operations should not be measured solely by battlefield victories but also by the level of public confidence in security institutions.

 

“More than ever before, the media are not only enablers; they are stabilizers of government.

 

“The Defence Ministry is exploring arrangements to embed journalists with military units during operations to enable more accurate reporting and deeper understanding of operational realities,” he said.

 

Musa said the proposal forms part of broader efforts to strengthen engagement between the military and the media, ensuring that information on security operations is communicated accurately to the public.

 

He added that closer cooperation between journalists and security agencies would help build public trust and improve national security outcomes.