Army Urges Media to Avoid Glorifying Terrorists in North-West Coverage

The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North-West Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General WB Idris, has urged journalists to exercise greater caution in reporting terrorism-related activities to avoid giving terrorists publicity and psychological advantage.

Idris made the call on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, during a media parley with journalists at the Theatre Headquarters in Gusau, Zamfara State.

The engagement, the first of its kind organised by the Theatre, brought together media practitioners from across Zamfara State to discuss security reporting, information management and military-media relations.

According to a statement by the Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force (North West) Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Aliyu Danja, on Thursday, August 20, the Theatre Commander described the media as a critical partner in ongoing counter-terrorism operations and efforts to restore lasting peace across the North-West.

READ ALSO: TUC Chair Osifo Commends DSS For Arresting, Prosecuting Terrorists, Bandits

He said while troops continued to make sacrifices through sustained kinetic and non-kinetic operations, military efforts needed to be complemented by responsible media reporting.

According to him, the media plays a strategic role in shaping public understanding of the security situation, strengthening national resilience and building confidence in efforts to restore peace in affected communities.

Idris warned that terrorists were increasingly exploiting the information space to spread fear, attract publicity and exaggerate their capabilities.

He therefore urged journalists to ensure that their reports did not inadvertently glorify terrorists or romanticise their activities.

The Theatre Commander also advised journalists to verify sensitive security information through appropriate channels and report operational developments accurately and within the proper context.

He stressed that responsible reporting was necessary to deny terrorists the publicity and psychological advantage they seek through attacks and propaganda.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zamfara State Council, Ibrahim Musa Maizare, commended the Theatre Commander for organising the engagement, describing it as the first of its kind in the history of military operations in the state.

Maizare said the parley would strengthen relations between the military and the media while helping journalists better understand the efforts of troops to restore peace and security in the state.

He pledged the support and cooperation of journalists in Zamfara to the military in its efforts to restore lasting peace.

The media parley also featured an interactive session between journalists and the Theatre Commander on security, information management and military-media relations.

Participants also visited the Theatre’s Wall of Heroes, a memorial bearing the names of personnel of Operation FANSAN YAMMA who have paid the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation since the commencement of the operation.