COAS TASKS MEDIA TO DOMINATE INFORMATION SPACE, COUNTER FAKE NEWS…Declares Open DAPR Combined First and Second Quarter Media Workshop 2026
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged media professionals to take a leading role in countering misinformation and fake news, emphasizing that dominance of the information space is critical to strengthening national security and achieving operational success.
The COAS gave the charge on Tuesday, 9 June 2026 at the opening ceremony of the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR) Combined First and Second Quarter Media Workshop 2026, held at the Army War College Nigeria.
He described strategic communication as a vital force multiplier in modern military operations, noting that effective media integration is indispensable to joint and multi-agency operational success. According to him, in today’s complex information environment, where perception often shapes reality, the media remains a key partner in shaping narratives, building public confidence and denying adversaries the opportunity to exploit information gaps.
Represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (Army), Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi, the COAS stressed that sustained media engagement and public support are now strategic imperatives across all theatres of operation. He added that transparent and proactive communication enhances credibility, fosters trust and reinforces the overall national security framework.
Addressing the theme, “Media Integration as a Force Multiplier for Joint and Multi-Agency Operational Success,” the COAS described the workshop as timely and forward-looking. He noted that it provides a critical platform for stakeholders to share ideas, adopt global best practices in conflict-sensitive reporting and develop coordinated strategies to counter misinformation and disinformation.
Lieutenant General Shaibu further highlighted the significant operational gains recorded by the Nigerian Army through enhanced inter-agency collaboration, intelligence sharing and unified planning. He emphasized that these successes must be effectively communicated to the public to sustain confidence and prevent adversaries from distorting operational realities.
The Army Chief reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Army to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order. He commended the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, for her leadership in organizing the workshop and advancing the strategic communication capabilities of the Nigerian Army.
The COAS also expressed profound appreciation to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his sustained support and strategic guidance towards enhancing the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, highlighted the importance of the workshop in addressing Nigeria’s evolving security landscape. She noted that contemporary threats now extend beyond the battlefield into the information domain, where fake news, misinformation, disinformation and Artificial Intelligence-generated content pose serious risks to national security.
She emphasized that collaboration between the military and the media is essential to ensuring accurate information dissemination, strengthening national cohesion and preventing hostile actors from exploiting the information space for destabilizing purposes.
Colonel Anele expressed appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu for his visionary leadership and continued investment in personnel development, modernization and strategic communication, which have positioned the Nigerian Army to effectively respond to both current and emerging security challenges.
APPOLONIA ANELE
Colonel
Acting Director Army Public Relations
9 June 2026
Abdul Samad Rabiu from Nigeria 🇳🇬 became the second richest man in the whole of Africa last month, beating Johann Rupert of South Africa 🇿🇦 and trailing Aliko Dangote.
Every country Mr Gregory Peter Obi @PeterObi has asked Nigeria to copy has, within the last three years, faced one major negative shock or another, from Argentina to Indonesia.
That should teach us something. Nations are not managed by selective comparison. They are governed through context, capacity, discipline and the ability to anticipate shocks.
In the corporate world, a CEO who keeps recommending models without stress testing their risks would quickly lose the confidence of the Board. It would raise serious questions about judgment, planning and the ability to protect the institution in uncertain times.
Nigeria does not need copy and paste economics. It needs leadership that understands its own realities, strengthens its own foundations, and builds resilience before applause.
This is where President Bola Tinubu @officialABAT stands heads above them all.
~ Otega 'The Tiger'
Highest-scoring Africans in the FIFA World Cup history.
No other Africans have scored more than two goals.
Who's joining them this year?
1. Asamoah Gyan 🇬🇭 - 6 goals
2. Roger Milla 🇨🇲 - 5 goals
3. Ahmed Musa 🇳🇬 - 4 goals
4. Papa Bouba Diop 🇸🇳 - 3 goals
5. Samuel Eto'o 🇨🇲 - 3 goals
6. Wahbi Khazri 🇹🇳 - 3 goals
7. Youssef En-Nesyri 🇲🇦 - 3 goals
8. Andre Ayew 🇬🇭 - 3 goals
🚨⚠️ Atlético Madrid: “We do NOT thank you [Real Madrid] for anything. We are NOT studying or considering any bid for Julián”.
Club statement also includes ‘😂’ emojis. ⤵️
"Who is getting these videos from captivity to social media? Who are they sending it to? Who is able to propagate it with such speed?"
Channels Television presenters raise concerns over the circulation of videos from kidnapped victims in Oyo State
Questions that need to be asked!! I’ve said it here many times
BREAKING: The DSS has arraigned Paul Jibrin Oweleke before the Federal High Court in Lagos over allegations that he used social media to call for a military coup to remove President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from office.
The defendant was brought before the court on Monday as the case moves into the legal process.
Calling for a coup on social media? The DSS says posts can have real-world consequences.
When I placed the Renewed Hope Agenda before Nigerians, I did not speak of housing in vague terms. I gave my word that this administration would work to make decent homes affordable again, and that a hardworking family, after years of paying rent, would finally have a path to a house of its own.
Let me account for that promise plainly, by juxtaposing what we pledged beside what we have actually achieved.
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Like I said, these soulless individuals do not care about the kidnapped kids in Ogbomoso and this particular cretin couldn’t contain his joy over Adelabu’s sister and kids being kidnapped. For them this is political cannon fodder that they can use to bulldoze their perpetual loser of a candidate into office
PRESS RELEASE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE CONFIRMS SAFE RESCUE OF ABDUCTED WOMAN AND HER TWIN SONS
The Nigeria Police Force announces the successful rescue of Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, who were abducted on June 3, 2026, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The hostages were rescued during a coordinated operation by the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) in Ibadan at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
Mrs. Adegoke and her children were abducted while she was driving them to school at about 7:30 a.m. on June 3, 2026. The rescue was achieved through sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance, and tactical operations. These efforts enabled investigators to track the kidnappers’ movements, resulting in a confrontation with FID-IRT operatives.
During the confrontation, two suspected kidnappers were fatally wounded and two rifles were recovered. The victims were rescued unharmed and are now in safe custody, receiving medical care and support.
The Inspector-General of Police commends the courage, professionalism, and effectiveness of the FID-IRT operatives and all officers involved. Their resilience and commitment were instrumental in the safe rescue of the hostages.
Security operatives have intensified efforts in the area to apprehend fleeing members of the kidnapping syndicate. Preliminary intelligence indicates that some suspects escaped with gunshot injuries. Operations are ongoing to track, arrest, and bring all involved to justice.
The Nigeria Police Force appreciates the public’s support, cooperation, and patience during the operation. We remain committed to combating violent crime, protecting lives and property, and ensuring the safety of all citizens.
DCP ANTHONY OKON PLACID, psc (+), mnipr, mni Force Public Relations Officer Force Headquarters, Abuja 6th June,2026
When a journalist deliberately downplays the efforts of security personnel and attributes their work to someone else, he is doing exactly what he would condemn others for doing.
If the police deserve criticism when they fail, they also deserve recognition when they succeed. Anything less is intellectual dishonesty.
Local security groups across parts of Yorubaland have intensified coordinated forest patrols, with reports of suspected bandits being apprehended during ongoing sweep operations across multiple areas.
There has been widespread misinformation about the arrest of 6 suspects in the Oriire LG Kidnap in Oyo State.
Social media and even news organizations like @AIT_Online
have unfortunately mixed up a previous 2022 incident involving the arrest of 10 suspected Kidnappers with the tracking and arrest of 6 suspects reportedly involved in the 2026 case.
The Police PRO Oyo State CSP Olayinka Alayande has also debunked the fake news & mix up via an official post on the Oyo State Police X handle.
The authorities have not named any of the 6 arrested suspects involved in this 2026 case.
The 2022 incident - https://t.co/nsmZK4zhbD
The 2026 incident - https://t.co/xCbW5wEzrw
Lets be wary, reconfirm and verify the 'news' we get and the 'news' we share.