Disinformation as dangerous as direct security threat, Army chief warns

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Shaibu Waidi. Photo: Nigeria Army

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has declared that public support for military operations is not optional, describing it as a strategic requirement without which operational success cannot be fully achieved. This is just as he said when left unchecked, disinformation can be as damaging as a direct security threat. Shaibu stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at the opening of the Directorate of Army Public Relations Combined First and Second Quarters Media Workshop 2026, themed “Media Integration as a Force Multiplier for Joint and Multi-Agency Operational Success.” The COAS, represented by the Chief of Civil Military Affairs (Army), Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi, said public support also boosts public confidence. “Public support is not merely desirable; it is a strategic necessity for operational success. It enhances cooperation, strengthens public confidence and contributes significantly to the attainment of national security objectives,” he said. Shaibu linked the attainment of public support directly to responsible and accurate media engagement, arguing that a well-informed citizenry was more likely to back security efforts. “Accurate and timely dissemination of information is essential for projecting factual narratives, countering misinformation and reinforcing public confidence in the nation’s security institutions,” he said. He added that a well-informed citizenry is more likely to support security efforts, thereby boosting troop morale and strengthening national resilience. Related News Military dismisses fake AI video of CDS, Army chief Enenche opposes calls for removal of service chiefs over insecurity Reps urge Tinubu to flush out bandits, kidnappers from hideouts The army chief warned that the information space had become a frontline of its own, noting that adversaries were actively exploiting it. “Today’s adversaries rely heavily on propaganda and information manipulation. When left unchecked, disinformation can be as damaging as a direct security threat,” he cautioned. He urged the media to go beyond neutrality and actively support the military’s communication objectives, stressing that “no single institution can effectively address today’s complex security threats in isolation.” Shaibu also called on journalists covering military operations to recognise the human cost of soldiering, saying the media must “highlight the sacrifices, gallantry and professionalism of our troops, many of whom continue to serve under extremely challenging conditions in defence