The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, says Nigeria’s Armed Forces is strengthening its collaboration with domestic and international stakeholders to confront evolving security threats—particularly the weaponization of disinformation and misinformation.
Speaking through Rear Admiral I.M. Haruna, the CDS emphasized the military’s commitment to strategic engagement with the media to counter false narratives, especially in conflict zones and during counterinsurgency operations.
General Musa made this assertion while addressing participants at the maiden edition of the Diplomatic and Security International Conference organized by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) in Abuja.
“Disinformation is not just a media problem—it is a national security threat. In the age of hybrid warfare, misinformation can erode public trust, destabilize communities, and embolden criminal networks,” the CDS stated.
“We are ready to partner with journalists and media institutions to ensure accurate, timely, and responsible reporting, especially from conflict theatres and areas affected by transborder crime.”
The high-powered conference brought together diplomats, security chiefs, intelligence experts, academics, and media professionals to examine the global security environment and the dangerous rise of manipulated narratives.
Themed “Diplomacy, Security, and the Media in a Changing World Order,” the event featured insightful paper presentations and thought-provoking panel discussions on topics including cyber warfare, geopolitical flashpoints, diplomacy in conflict de-escalation, and information integrity in the digital space.
Participants unanimously called for the institutionalization of regular media-diplomatic dialogues, joint training sessions for journalists and security agencies, and the creation of a national fact-checking task force to confront coordinated disinformation campaigns threatening both national and regional peace.
The conference also served as a platform for recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to diplomacy, security, and credible media practice.
Among those honored with awards of excellence was General Christopher Musa, whose leadership in fostering military-media relations was widely commended.