Military, Media Must Work Together to Restore Peace in North-West – FANSAN YAMMA Commander
The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA (JTF NW OPFY), Major General WB Idris, has called for sustained collaboration between the military and the media to strengthen counter-terrorism operations and support efforts to restore lasting peace across the North-West.
Major General Idris made the call on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, while hosting media practitioners from across Zamfara State at a Media Parley held at the Theatre Headquarters in Gusau.
The engagement, the first of its kind at the Theatre, provided an opportunity for military authorities and journalists to exchange views, improve understanding and strengthen cooperation in the fight against terrorism and other security threats in the region.
The Theatre Commander described the media as a critical partner in ongoing counter-terrorism efforts, stressing that the sacrifices and operations of troops must be complemented by responsible and accurate media reporting.
According to him, the media plays a strategic role in shaping public understanding of the security situation, building public confidence and strengthening national resilience in communities affected by insecurity.
He also warned that terrorists were increasingly exploiting the information space to spread fear, attract publicity and project an exaggerated image of their capabilities.
Major General Idris therefore urged journalists to exercise caution when reporting terrorism-related incidents, particularly in the choice of headlines and presentation of sensitive information, to avoid inadvertently glorifying terrorists or giving them the publicity and psychological advantage they seek.
He further advised media practitioners to verify sensitive security information through appropriate channels and ensure that reports on military operations are accurate, responsible and presented within the proper context.
Speaking on behalf of journalists in the state, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zamfara State Council, Ibrahim Musa Maizare, thanked the Theatre Commander for organising the Media Parley.
Maizare described the engagement as a significant development in military-media relations in Zamfara State, noting that it would help journalists better understand the efforts of security forces towards restoring peace.
He pledged the continued support and cooperation of media practitioners in the state to the military in its efforts to tackle terrorism and restore lasting security.
The parley featured an interactive session where participants discussed security reporting, information management and ways of strengthening military-media relations.
The event also included a visit to the Theatre’s Wall of Heroes, a memorial bearing the names of personnel of Operation FANSAN YAMMA who have paid the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation since the commencement of the operation.
