FG, Security Agencies, Journalists push stronger partnership to tackle insecurity

The Federal Government, security agencies and media stakeholders have renewed calls for deeper collaboration between journalists and security institutions as part of efforts to strengthen national security and promote stability across Nigeria.

The call was made at the National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists in partnership with the Department of State Services in Abuja under the theme, “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building.”

Participants at the summit stressed that tackling terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime, misinformation and other emerging threats requires more than military operations, highlighting the importance of strategic communication, responsible journalism and public trust.

NUJ President, Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi, said national security should not be left solely to security agencies, insisting that journalists and other stakeholders have vital roles to play in safeguarding the nation.

According to him, the media and security institutions occupy strategic positions in every democratic society, with security agencies protecting lives and property while the media informs citizens, shapes public opinion and promotes accountability.

Declaring the summit open, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the gathering as timely in view of increasingly complex security threats, including terrorism, violent extremism, organised crime and disinformation campaigns.

He urged journalists to uphold professionalism and ethical standards in reporting security issues, warning that misinformation and disinformation could undermine national security efforts.

The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, represented by Rear Admiral Olusanya Bankole, described the media as an indispensable partner in modern security operations.

He disclosed that the Defence Ministry is exploring the possibility of embedding journalists with military units during operations to encourage more accurate reporting and improve public understanding of operational realities.

Also speaking, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, represented by Chido Onumah, said journalists and security agencies must work together to balance the public’s right to information with national security considerations.

Ribadu revealed that the Office of the National Security Adviser is developing a National Security Strategic Communication Framework aimed at improving information sharing, verification and collaboration between media organisations and security institutions.

The summit featured extensive discussions among security chiefs, policymakers, academics, media executives and civil society representatives on how stronger media-security cooperation can improve crisis communication, build public confidence and counter misinformation.

Participants agreed that mutual trust, professionalism and sustained engagement between journalists and security agencies remain essential to advancing Nigeria’s peace, security and development objectives.