The Nigerian Army has raised alarm over the escalating use of propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation by terrorists, secessionists, and economic saboteurs, warning that these tactics now pose significant threats to the country’s national security.

 

This concern was a key takeaway from the recently concluded Third and Fourth Quarters Media Training Seminar, organized by the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR) at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja.

 

In her closing remarks on Thursday, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Appolonia Anele, stressed that in today’s complex information environment, national security battles are no longer fought with weapons alone, but through control and mastery of information.

 

“Propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation have become dangerous weapons in the hands of terrorists, secessionists, economic saboteurs, and their collaborators,” Lt. Col. Anele warned. “We must collectively ensure that these falsehoods do not erode public trust, weaken national morale, or undermine the sacrifices of our gallant troops who daily confront enemies of our country.”

 

While reaffirming the Nigerian Army’s constitutional duty to defend Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Lt. Col. Anele emphasized the critical need for collaboration with the media and other stakeholders to achieve lasting victory.

 

“To achieve lasting victory, the cooperation of the media is indispensable. I urge all participants to translate the lessons from this training into action, whether in the newsroom, on the field, or in our respective deployments. Together, we can deny adversaries the oxygen of propaganda and amplify the truth of our collective resolve against criminality,” she said.

 

Highlighting the increasing prominence of information warfare in modern conflict, Lt. Col. Anele called on journalists and military public relations officers to avoid becoming unwitting tools for destabilizing forces.

 

“I charge you all to remain ambassadors of truth, defenders of professional ethics, and partners in the great task of building a safer, stronger, and more united Nigeria,” she stated.

 

The Nigerian Army noted that the seminar’s outcomes would serve as a “compass” for engaging the media space with clarity, credibility, and professionalism, strengthening efforts to counter false narratives.

 

The five-day workshop, held from October 6 to 10, convened participants from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, journalists, and other sister security agencies in a joint effort to enhance military-media relations and bolster national security communication.