The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Maj.-Gen. Auwalu Mahmuda, has called for stronger collaboration between the military and the media to combat misinformation and fake news in Nigeria.
Mahmuda made the call on Wednesday when officials and members of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, paid a courtesy visit to him at the division’s headquarters in Ibadan.
He urged journalists to verify information concerning military and security operations with the appropriate authorities before publication, warning that unverified reports could aggravate situations and cause irreversible damage.
According to him, the rapid spread of misinformation makes responsible journalism and proper verification particularly important in matters relating to national security.
“I will appeal to you to avoid publishing information without first confirming its exact and true nature with the military,” Mahmuda said.
“Sometimes, when unverified information is released, it can cause more harm than the information it intended to address.”
The GOC said journalists had an important role to play in national development, noting that members of the profession often put themselves in dangerous situations to obtain information and keep the public informed.
He also appealed to journalists to work more closely with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in educating the public about ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity across the country.
Mahmuda said the Army regarded journalists as partners, but stressed that the media must also demonstrate that partnership by ensuring that information released to the public was accurate and properly verified.
“I want to reassure you that the Nigerian Army sees journalists as partners, but they are also expected to play their part in demonstrating clearly that they are partners of the Nigerian Army,” he said.
The Army commander commended the Correspondents Chapel for its coverage of the activities of the 2 Division and its contributions to public awareness and national development.
He noted that both military personnel and journalists, despite their different professional responsibilities, were Nigerians working towards the development of the country.
“We are all Nigerians, irrespective of the fact that some of us wear uniforms. I believe that, whatever we are doing, we are all working towards the success and development of this country,” he said.
Mahmuda also acknowledged the risks journalists face in the course of their duties.
“I have seen journalists go to places where other civilians dare to set their foot. They put themselves in difficult and dangerous situations simply to obtain accurate information that can be shared with the public,” he said.
The GOC subsequently pledged the support of the 2 Division for activities of the Correspondents Chapel, particularly in areas of training and medical outreach ahead of the chapel’s forthcoming press week.
Earlier, Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel, Yinka Adeniran, commended the 2 Division for its efforts to maintain security in Oyo State and other areas within its operational jurisdiction.
Adeniran specifically highlighted the military’s role in the rescue of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The victims were rescued on July 10, 2026, after spending 56 days in captivity following their abduction from schools in Oriire.
The Nigerian Army said the operation involved multiple security and intelligence agencies, as well as Amotekun personnel, local vigilantes and hunters.
Adeniran appealed to the Army to support the chapel’s forthcoming press week, particularly through a lecture and medical outreach for members.
