Insecurity: FG Considers Letting Journalists Join Troops on Military Operations

The Federal Government is thinking about allowing journalists to go with soldiers during some military operations so they can report what is happening directly and help people understand security issues better. The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, said this on Thursday at a security summit in Abuja organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). He was represented by Rear Admiral Olusanya Bankole. He said the idea is to make the military and the media work more closely and improve openness in how security matters are reported. “More than ever before, the media are not only enablers; they are stabilizers of government,” the minister said. He added that journalists are now important in how the country handles security information and public understanding. The Defence Ministry is looking at ways to attach journalists to military units during operations so they can report better and more accurately. “The defence ministry is exploring arrangements to embed journalists with military units during operations to enable more accurate reporting and deeper understanding of operational realities,” he stated. Musa said this would also help reduce fake news, build trust, and improve how security agencies and the public relate. He also noted that success in security is not only about winning battles but also about gaining public confidence. The plan comes as Nigeria continues to face insecurity like b@nditry, k+dn@pping, and insurgency in different parts of the country.