The Nigerian Army has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN), describing credible, timely and accurate information as a vital component of national security and the fight against misinformation.
According to an official signed statement by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Army said effective strategic communication remains critical to countering false narratives, building public trust and fostering the collective resolve needed to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
The commitment was reiterated on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, when the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Onyechi Appolonia Anele, received the President of DECAN, Mr. Odita Sunday, and members of the Association’s Executive Committee at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
During the meeting, Colonel Anele stated that while Nigerian Army troops continue to make significant sacrifices in defending the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the spread of false and misleading information often undermines their efforts.
She stressed that success in tackling insecurity extends beyond achievements on the battlefield and also depends on dominating the information space through accurate, responsible and patriotic reporting.
Colonel Anele commended DECAN for its professionalism and continued support in projecting balanced and credible reports on military operations. She assured the association of the Directorate of Army Public Relations’ commitment to deepening media engagement through regular capacity-building programmes, closer collaboration and expanded participation in the Directorate’s Media Workshop to further improve the quality of national security reporting.
Speaking during the visit, the President of DECAN, Mr. Odita Sunday, said the engagement was aimed at consolidating the longstanding partnership between the association and the Nigerian Army in promoting factual reporting, countering misinformation and enhancing public understanding of the constitutional roles of the Armed Forces.
Both the Nigerian Army and DECAN reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining a strong military-media partnership in support of national security objectives.
The statement noted that effectively addressing Nigeria’s security challenges requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, with security agencies, the media and citizens working collaboratively to strengthen national unity, resilience and public confidence.
