By SUMAILA OGBAJE

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, says the media remains a powerful and central force in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in the country.

Musa stated this at the Expanded Chat with Media Executives on the occasion of his two years in office, on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the military had been contending with an array of adaptive and unconventional threats from non-state actors, including terrorism, insurgency, banditry, secessionist violence and other forms of organised crime.

According to him, these multifaceted threats underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive, multidimensional and multidisciplinary approach.

“In response, the Armed Forces have fully embraced the Whole-of-Society Approach: a framework that emphasises synergy among the military, government institutions and the people as a unified trinity in the fight against insecurity,” he said.

The CDS said the engagement aimed to foster direct interaction with media executives from across the country, saying the military believed that truth and trust were the cornerstones of national resilience.

He reiterated that the media reports on military operations had a significant impact on public perception and morale, both locally and internationally.

“In today’s battles, particularly against terrorism and insurgency, we are not only engaged in physical combat but also fighting a war for the hearts and minds of the people.

“In this non-kinetic theatre, the media is a powerful force.

“The battle for perception, which entails controlling the narrative and countering misinformation and disinformation, is essential to strategic success.

“That is why we seek a professional, objective and nation-oriented partnership with the media,” he said.

Musa reaffirmed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains unwavering in its mission to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.

He said that while kinetic operations were ongoing across all theatres, the military had also come to fully appreciate the importance of non-kinetic strategies, which according to him, constitute over 70 per cent of the efforts required in modern asymmetric warfare.

“In this context, the media is not just a supporting actor but a central player.

“Nigerians are deeply interested in understanding their security situation and future prospects; hence, the narratives you shape as media professionals will significantly influence public sentiment, national unity and peacebuilding,” he said.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, represented by Maj.-Gen. Paul Koughna, said the Nigerian Army had in the last two years achieved tremendous operational successes in different parts of the country.

Oluyede said the army had neutralised several high profile terrorists in the North East, North West, North Central and South East during the period under review.

He reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian army to work with other services and security agencies to rid the nation of security threats.

On his part, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm, Emmanuel Ogalla, said the Nigerian Navy had remained resolute in her efforts to guarantee freedom of the seas by responding effectively to current and emerging threats.

Ogalla, represented by the Director of Operation, Naval Headquarters, Rear Adm. Olusegun Soyemi, said that the navy had ensured improved protection of Nigeria’s maritime interests towards enhanced economic prosperity and national development since June 2023.

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, said the Nigerian Air Force had reached new heights in operational capabilities in the last two years with acquisition of more platforms.

Abubakar, represented by the Director, Civil-Military Cooperation, AVM Edward Gabkwet, said the NAF had taken delivery of 15 brand new aircraft including six T-129 Attak Helicopters, two Augusta Westland 109 trekkers from Italy, three Pitchcock King aircraft, and four Diamond aircraft.

He said that an additional 49 aircraft were expected to be added to NAF inventory before the end of 2026.

According to him, the platforms had enabled the service to fly about 4,500 hours in 2,304 sorties for 1,974 counter-terrorism operations within the last one year.

“Similarly, the Nigerian Air Force moved over 4,670 hours in 2,732 sorties for 2,610 emissions as well as 1,450 hours in 453 sorties for 360 counter-crude oil emissions between last year and the year before,” he said. (NAN)