The Nigerian Army Appeal urges citizens and media to support operations as insecurity rises across several states in Nigeria
Jos, Plateau State, November 20, 2025 — The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has issued an urgent Nigerian Army Appeal calling on citizens and the media to support ongoing military operations aimed at combating rising terrorism and other security threats across the country.
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He made the call during the Nigerian Army Civil Military Cooperation Media Chat for the Fourth Quarter of 2025, held in Jos on Thursday.
The Army’s renewed call for national cooperation follows a surge in violent incidents, including the fatal attack on the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Worshippers were killed and several others abducted, prompting angry protests by youths who blocked a major highway and demanded swift security reinforcement from state authorities.
In Kebbi State, security personnel are continuing rescue efforts after a pre-dawn attack on a girls’ secondary school in Maga, Danko Wasagu Local Government Area, where the vice principal was killed and students were taken away by armed assailants.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation and has further intensified pressure on security agencies already stretched by similar operations.
Major General E. F. Oyinlola, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, represented Lieutenant General Shaibu at the event.
He emphasised that the media plays a pivotal role in informing the public and shaping national perception of security issues.
He urged journalists to adopt responsible, fair, and credible reporting practices while resisting the spread of misinformation, especially content generated with Artificial Intelligence.
Shaibu stressed the importance of verifying information before dissemination, noting that harmful and misleading content can undermine unity and compromise national security.
He added that the prevailing security environment requires stronger collaboration between the military and the media, describing their relationship as vital for maintaining public confidence and supporting ongoing operations.
Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Major General Musa Etsu Ndagi, reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to transparency, assuring media practitioners that they will continue to receive accurate and comprehensive information.
He noted that effective strategic communication remains essential for strengthening civil military relations, particularly at a time when the nation faces evolving threats.
The event, themed The Nigerian Security Environment: Role of Strategic Communication in Strengthening Civil Military Relations, featured presentations examining the influence of media and emerging technologies on national security.
Panellists agreed that both the military and the media are key national stakeholders and must consistently prioritise the national interest above all other considerations.
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The Nigerian Army Appeal comes at a time when public anxieties are growing, and the military hopes that stronger cooperation with citizens and journalists will provide the momentum needed to address security challenges more decisively.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
