By Joseph Erunke and Gift ChapiOdekina
ABUJA—Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, yesterday, said that Nigeria’s battle against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime and disinformation cannot be won without a strong alliance between the media and security agencies, warning that fake news has become a major threat to national security.
Speaking at the National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in collaboration with the Department of State Services, DSS, in Abuja, the minister urged journalists and security institutions to forge a closer partnership to protect the country from both physical and information-based threats.
Addressing participants, Idris said the media and security agencies occupy strategic positions in safeguarding national stability and must work together to strengthen public trust, preserve national unity and advance development.
“While security agencies are entrusted with protecting lives, property and national sovereignty, the media serves as the watchdog of society and the bridge between government and citizens. Both institutions share a common objective , safeguarding the national interest and promoting peace, unity and development,” he said.
The minister stressed that Nigeria was facing increasingly sophisticated security challenges ranging from terrorism and violent extremism to cybercrime, organised crime, separatist agitations and the growing menace of misinformation and disinformation.
Idris warned that irresponsible reporting and the unchecked spread of false information could undermine security operations, inflame tensions and erode public confidence in state institutions.
“National security is not served when misinformation is amplified without verification. Neither is it served when legitimate public concerns are ignored.
The challenge before us is to strike the right balance between the public’s right to know and the imperative of protecting national security,” he stated.
He said the administration of President Bola Tinubu has placed security at the centre of its renewed hope agenda, deploying a multi-pronged strategy involving military operations, intelligence gathering, technological innovation, inter-agency cooperation and community engagement.
Highlighting gains recorded by security forces, Idris said hundreds of terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements had been neutralised or arrested, while several criminal camps and hideouts had been dismantled across the country.
