By Abigail David
The Federal Government is considering a new initiative that would allow journalists to accompany military personnel during selected operations as part of efforts to improve security reporting and enhance public understanding of the country’s security challenges.
The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, disclosed the plan on Thursday at the National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abuja.
Represented by his Special Adviser, Rear Admiral Olusanya Bankole, the minister said the proposed arrangement would strengthen collaboration between the media and security agencies while promoting greater transparency in military operations.
According to Musa, the media plays a critical role in shaping public perception of security issues and national stability, noting that modern conflicts are fought not only on the battlefield but also through information and public narratives.
He said the Defence Ministry was exploring the possibility of embedding journalists with military units to provide firsthand accounts of operations and improve the accuracy of security reporting.
“More than ever before, the media are not only enablers; they are stabilisers of government. 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 said.
The minister stressed that the effectiveness of security operations should be measured not only by battlefield successes but also by the level of public trust and confidence in security institutions.
He added that the initiative forms part of broader efforts to enhance engagement between the military and the media and ensure that information about security operations is communicated accurately to the public.
The proposal comes as Nigeria continues to confront multiple security challenges, including insurgency, banditry and other criminal activities. Limited access to operational areas has often led to misinformation and conflicting reports, prompting calls for greater transparency in security operations.
