Info Minister Calls on Media, DSS, and Security Agencies to Combat Terrorism and Misinformation

By Joseph Erunke and Gift ChapiOdekina

ABUJA—Yesterday, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris emphasized that Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime and disinformation requires a robust partnership between the media and security agencies. He warned that fake news poses a serious threat to national security.

Speaking at the National Security Summit hosted by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in cooperation with the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja, the minister called on journalists and security institutions to deepen their collaboration to safeguard the country from both physical and information‑based dangers.

Addressing the attendees, Idris noted that the media and security agencies hold strategic roles in protecting national stability. He urged them to work together to strengthen public trust, preserve national unity, and promote development.

“While security agencies are entrusted with protecting lives, property and national sovereignty, the media serves as the watchdog of society and the bridge between government and citizens. Both institutions share a common objective: safeguarding the national interest and promoting peace, unity and development,” he said.

The minister highlighted that Nigeria faces increasingly sophisticated security challenges, including terrorism, violent extremism, cybercrime, organised crime, separatist agitations, and the growing menace of misinformation and disinformation.

Idris warned that irresponsible reporting and the unchecked spread of false information could undermine security operations, inflame tensions, and erode public confidence in state institutions.

“National security is not served when misinformation is amplified without verification. Neither is it served when legitimate public concerns are ignored,” he stated. “The challenge before us is to strike the right balance between the public’s right to know and the imperative of protecting national security.”

He added that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has placed security at the centre of its renewed hope agenda, deploying a multi‑pronged strategy that includes military operations, intelligence gathering, technological innovation, inter‑agency cooperation, and community engagement.

Highlighting gains achieved by security forces, Idris said that hundreds of terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements had been neutralised or arrested, and several criminal camps and hideouts had been dismantled across the country.

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