FG to embed social media influencers, media practitioners with troops operating in conflict zones – Defence Minister
By Matthew Eloyi
The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd), on Saturday said plans were underway to embed social media influencers and media practitioners with troops operating in conflict zones to provide the public with firsthand insight into the realities, risks and sacrifices of military operations.
He made the disclosure while speaking as Chairman of the Nigerian People’s Strategic Conference (NPSC) and Defence Exhibition 2026 in Abuja, where he also renewed calls for a sweeping reform of Nigeria’s security architecture through deeper collaboration between government, the private sector and citizens.
Musa argued that Nigeria’s security challenges could no longer be addressed by the armed forces alone, insisting that a “modern, integrated, accountable and future-ready security ecosystem” must be built through public-private partnerships and active community participation.
The conference, themed “Building a Modern Security Ecosystem: Integrating Private Sector Capacity into Nigeria’s National Security Architecture,” brought together government officials, security agencies, private sector leaders, development partners and other stakeholders.
According to him, contemporary security threats are largely driven by non-state actors who depend heavily on civilian networks, making public cooperation indispensable.
“Asymmetric warfare has to do with the citizens because the enemy is within,” he said. “If citizens refuse to support criminals, deny them logistics and information, they cannot survive. Security is not only the responsibility of the armed forces or security agencies; everyone has a responsibility.”
Musa stressed that Nigeria’s security future would depend on coordinated action across all sectors, noting that government must provide leadership, industry must drive innovation and investment, while communities must contribute trust, intelligence and vigilance.
He listed Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges to include terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, organised crime, oil theft, illegal mining, cybercrime, communal conflicts and attacks on critical infrastructure.
The minister attributed some of these challenges to weak citizen engagement and reluctance to report criminal activity, citing repeated vandalism of public infrastructure such as the theft of reinforcement rods from newly constructed roads and the destruction of solar-powered street lights.
“Security agencies are not magicians,” he said. “If they do not receive support and information at the right time, it becomes extremely difficult to curtail crime.”
Musa also warned against protests that could be infiltrated by criminal elements, while reiterating that citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly remain protected under the law.
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Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu praised the Minister of Defence, the armed forces and other security agencies for their sacrifices, while assuring them of continued legislative support through improved oversight and resource allocation.
On his part, the Senator representing Imo West Senatorial District, Osita Izunaso, praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as his proactive handling of security matters, saying the President responds swiftly to security emergencies and has consistently reorganised the country’s security architecture when necessary.
Earlier, the convener of the event, Dr Charles Awuzie, said the event was conceived to create a platform where Nigerians could openly discuss security, defence capacity, investment, local manufacturing, intelligence support, community safety and public-private collaboration.