Security: Tinubu Committed to Safer Nigeria, Media-Security Partnership Crucial – Information Minister
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reiterated the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to tackling insecurity across the country, stressing that stronger collaboration between the media and security agencies remains critical to achieving lasting peace, stability and national development.
Idris made the assertion on Thursday while delivering his address as Chairman of the National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja.
Speaking on the theme, “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building,” the minister described the summit as timely, given the evolving nature of global and domestic security challenges confronting nations.
He commended the NUJ and DSS for creating a strategic platform that brought together stakeholders from the media, security agencies, government institutions, academia, civil society organisations and the public to deliberate on national security and stability.
According to him, modern security threats have become increasingly complex and technology-driven, ranging from terrorism, violent extremism and cybercrime to misinformation, organised crime, separatist agitations and other transnational threats.
“Nigeria, as Africa’s largest democracy and most populous nation, faces unique security challenges that require collective action, responsible journalism, strategic communication and effective collaboration among all stakeholders,” he said.
The minister noted that both the media and security agencies occupy critical positions in the nation’s development architecture, explaining that while security agencies are tasked with protecting lives, property and national sovereignty, the media serves as the watchdog of society and a bridge between government and citizens.
He emphasised that both institutions share the common goal of safeguarding national interests and promoting peace, unity and development.
“The relationship between the media and security agencies must be built on mutual respect, professionalism, trust and an appreciation of their complementary roles,” Idris stated.
He added that security operations require discretion, accuracy and strategic communication, while the media has a constitutional responsibility to inform the public, promote accountability and combat misinformation.
According to him, aligning these responsibilities effectively would strengthen national security and boost public confidence in government institutions.
He explained that the administration’s security strategy combines military operations, intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, technological innovation and community engagement.
A CROSS SECTION OF STAKEHOLDERS AT THE SUMMIT
Idris disclosed that security forces had neutralised and apprehended numerous terrorists, bandits and kidnappers, while several criminal camps and hideouts had been dismantled through sustained military operations.
The minister said military offensives in the North-East had considerably weakened terrorist groups, while intensified operations in the North-West and North-Central regions had yielded positive results against banditry and kidnapping.
He added that the Federal Government had invested heavily in modern military hardware, intelligence infrastructure, surveillance technology and personnel training to improve the operational capabilities of security agencies.
Beyond military action, Idris said the Tinubu administration remained focused on addressing the root causes of insecurity through economic reforms, youth empowerment programmes, educational opportunities, infrastructure development and social intervention initiatives.
The minister also stressed the importance of responsible journalism in an era characterised by the rapid spread of fake news, disinformation and false narratives across digital platforms.
He warned that national security could be undermined when unverified information is amplified, even as he urged journalists to continue upholding professionalism, accuracy, fairness and ethical standards in their reporting.
“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 said.
Idris assured stakeholders that the Federal Government would continue to promote constructive engagement between media organisations and security institutions through dialogue, capacity building, strategic communication and public enlightenment programmes.
He expressed optimism that discussions at the summit would generate practical recommendations capable of strengthening national security and deepening cooperation between the media and security agencies.
Describing security and nation-building as collective responsibilities, the minister urged all Nigerians, including government institutions, civil society groups, traditional rulers, religious organisations and citizens, to contribute actively toward building a peaceful, united and prosperous nation.
He further called on participants to utilise the summit as an opportunity to strengthen partnerships, foster trust and develop actionable solutions to contemporary security challenges.
The minister commended the NUJ and DSS for organising the summit, expressing confidence that its outcomes would further enhance collaboration between journalists and security agencies in the overall interest of national development.
NUJ PRESIDENT, YAHYA PRESENTING HIS ADDRESS
Earlier in his remarks, the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Alhassan Yahya Abdul, described the summit as a timely intervention aimed at strengthening collaboration between the media and security agencies in the face of Nigeria’s evolving security challenges. He noted that terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime, misinformation and other emerging threats require collective action and stronger partnerships among stakeholders. Yahya stressed that national security is a shared responsibility and expressed optimism that the summit would deepen trust, enhance mutual understanding and foster greater cooperation between journalists and security institutions in the interest of national development and stability. He also commended the Department of State Services for partnering with the NUJ to organise the summit and reaffirmed the union’s commitment to responsible journalism and nation-building.
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
