By Gloria Ikibah
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has said that the Armed Forces will strengthening its collaboration with domestic and international stakeholders to confront evolving security threats, particularly the weaponisation of disinformation and misinformation.
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The CDS who was represented by Rear Admiral A.M. Haruna, stressed the commitment of the military to strategic engagement with the media to counter false narratives, especially in conflict zones and during counterinsurgency operations.
Musa stated this at the maiden edition of the Diplomatic and Security International Conference organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) in Abuja.
He said: “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.
“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 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 recognising 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.
