The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has called on members of the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) to sustain their support for the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations through responsible, factual and patriotic reporting.
According to an official statement signed by the President of the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN), Odita Sunday, the CDS made the appeal in a message delivered by the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Major General Samaila Uba, during a courtesy visit by the newly elected DECAN executive to the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in Abuja on Friday.
General Oluyede commended the association for its continued support for military operations against terrorism and other security threats, urging members to remain committed to promoting accurate information that advances national security.
“I am aware of what DECAN is doing in supporting our counter-terrorism efforts. I urge you to continue supporting the efforts of the Armed Forces,” the CDS said.
Speaking in his capacity as Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba praised defence correspondents for their professionalism and commitment to reporting military and defence-related issues in a manner that reflects the national interest.
He described the media as a strategic partner in promoting national security, strengthening public confidence and projecting the sacrifices and achievements of troops, noting that defence correspondents occupy a unique position within Nigeria’s media landscape.
“Your responsibility goes beyond reporting events. You serve as an important bridge between the military and the Nigerian public by providing factual, balanced and responsible information on defence and security matters,” he said.
Major General Uba noted that the increasing spread of misinformation, disinformation, social media manipulation and artificial intelligence had made responsible defence reporting more critical than ever. He urged journalists to verify information through official military channels before publication.
He stressed that responsible journalism contributes to national security by preventing adversaries from exploiting false narratives aimed at creating fear, eroding public confidence and undermining the reputation of the Armed Forces.
The DDI also cautioned journalists against publishing classified military documents or sensitive operational information that could aid terrorist groups, advising them to verify such materials with the appropriate authorities before publication.
He assured the association that the Defence Headquarters would continue to engage the media through regular press briefings, interviews, media tours and capacity-building programmes while ensuring operational security.
Earlier, DECAN President Odita Sunday described the relationship between the Defence Headquarters and the association as a strategic partnership in advancing national security through responsible journalism.
He said defence correspondents complement the efforts of troops on the battlefield by informing, educating and shaping public understanding through accurate, balanced and responsible reporting.
Odita commended the Directorate of Defence Information for providing journalists with access to operational theatres across the country, noting that the initiative had enhanced the credibility and accuracy of reports on military operations.
He appealed for more regular operational briefings to enable journalists verify facts and effectively counter misinformation, disinformation and hostile propaganda.
The DECAN President also disclosed that the association was concluding plans to launch its official magazine, The Defence Correspondent, to document the activities and achievements of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other defence institutions.
He further appealed to the Defence Headquarters to support the initiative and consider establishing a dedicated Defence Correspondents Press Centre within one of its civil-military estates in Abuja to improve coordination and provide a functional workspace for defence journalists.
