Army chief emphasizes public support as strategic necessity for operational success

Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, the Chief of Army Staff, stated that public support is a strategic requirement for military operations and that unchecked disinformation can be as damaging as a direct security threat. Speaking at the Directorate of Army Public Relations Combined First and Second Quarters Media Workshop 2026 in Abuja, General Shaibu, represented by Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi, Chief of Civil Military Affairs Army, highlighted that public support boosts public confidence and is essential for national security objectives. He linked this support to responsible and accurate media engagement, noting that a well-informed citizenry is more likely to back security efforts, thereby enhancing troop morale and national resilience. General Shaibu warned that adversaries exploit the information space through propaganda and information manipulation. He urged the media to actively support the military's communication objectives and to highlight the sacrifices and professionalism of troops. Colonel O.A Anele, Director of Army Public Relations, also emphasized the critical role of the media space in modern warfare, particularly with the proliferation of social media and information disorders like fake news and AI-generated content, stressing the importance of the military-media partnership in countering misinformation and fostering public confidence.