Media, Security Agencies Must Unite to Safeguard Nigeria’s Peace — Minister By Shalom Oludele
Media, Security Agencies Must Unite to Safeguard Nigeria’s Peace — Minister
By Shalom Oludele
The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called for stronger collaboration between the media and security agencies to safeguard national security and advance Nigeria’s nation-building efforts. Idris, fnipr, made the call on Thursday in Abuja as Chairman and Chief Host at a National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists in partnership with the Department of State Services.
Speaking on the theme “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building,” the Minister said both institutions occupy strategic positions in national development and share responsibility for protecting national interest. He noted that while security agencies protect lives and sovereignty, the media serves as society’s watchdog and the bridge between government and citizens.
Idris stressed that collaboration built on mutual respect, professionalism and trust would strengthen national security and boost public confidence in government institutions. He said Nigeria, like many nations, faces complex threats including terrorism, violent extremism, cybercrime, organised crime, misinformation and separatist agitations that demand collective action.
The Minister said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has prioritised security under the Renewed Hope Agenda through a strategy combining military operations, intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, technology and community engagement. He emphasised that no meaningful development can occur without peace and stability.
Highlighting achievements, Idris said security agencies have neutralised and arrested terrorists, bandits and kidnappers, dismantled criminal hideouts and rescued hundreds of victims nationwide. He added that sustained offensives have degraded terrorist capabilities in the North-East while operations against banditry and kidnapping in the North-West and North-Central have yielded positive results.
He disclosed that government has invested heavily in modern military equipment, intelligence infrastructure, surveillance technology and capacity building for personnel to improve operational effectiveness against evolving threats. Beyond kinetic operations, Idris said government is tackling root causes of insecurity through economic reforms, youth empowerment, infrastructure development and social interventions.
On the media’s role, the Minister said responsible journalism is critical amid the rapid spread of misinformation and fake news on digital platforms. He warned that national security is undermined when falsehoods are amplified without verification, just as it is when legitimate public concerns are ignored.
Idris urged journalists to uphold accuracy, fairness and ethical reporting, while calling on security agencies to deepen engagement through timely and transparent communication. He said the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation remains committed to promoting dialogue, capacity building and strategic communication between both sectors.
Describing security as a shared responsibility, the Minister charged citizens, communities, civil society, traditional and religious leaders to contribute actively to building a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria. He commended the NUJ and DSS for convening the summit and expressed confidence its recommendations would strengthen media-security collaboration.
The summit drew senior government officials, security chiefs and media executives including VON Director-General Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, IGP’s representative AIG Miller Dantawaye, NDLEA’s representative ACG Dankolo Shehu Mohammed, NIPR President Dr. Ike Neliaku and NUJ National President Comrade Alhassan Yahaya.
