The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General WB Idris, has tasked media practitioners with responsible and accurate reporting of terrorism-related activities to prevent terrorists from exploiting the information space to spread fear and propaganda.
Idris gave the charge on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, when he hosted journalists to a media parley at the Theatre Headquarters in Gusau, Zamfara State.
The engagement, the first of its kind at the Theatre, brought together media practitioners from across the state for an interactive session on security, information management and ways to strengthen military-media relations.
The Theatre Commander described the media as a critical partner in ongoing counter-terrorism operations, noting that the sacrifices being made by troops through sustained kinetic and non-kinetic operations needed to be complemented by responsible media coverage.
He said the media occupied a strategic position in shaping public understanding of the security situation, strengthening national resilience and building public confidence in efforts to restore peace and stability across affected communities.
According to him, terrorists were seeking to exploit the information environment not only to spread fear but also to attract publicity and exaggerate their strength.
He therefore urged journalists to exercise greater care in framing terrorism-related reports, particularly headlines, to ensure that such reports did not inadvertently glorify terrorists, romanticise their activities or give them the psychological advantage they seek.
Idris also advised media practitioners to verify sensitive security information through appropriate channels and ensure that reports on military operations were presented accurately, responsibly and within the proper context.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Zamfara State Council, Ibrahim Musa Maizare, commended the Theatre Commander for organising the media parley, describing it as the first of its kind in the history of military operations in the state.
Maizare said the engagement would help journalists better appreciate the efforts of the military in restoring peace and security, while pledging the support and cooperation of media practitioners across the state.
The parley also featured an interactive session during which journalists exchanged views with the Theatre Commander on security, information management and military-media relations.
The event ended with a visit to the Theatre’s Wall of Heroes, a memorial bearing the names of personnel of Operation FANSAN YAMMA who have paid the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation since the inception of the operation.
