In a bid to present a clear and factual scorecard of military operations and activities over the past 2 years, the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has today, 19th June 2025, had a direct interaction with media executives from across the country.
General Musa, alongside other service Chiefs of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), hosted an interactive session, the “CDS Expanded Chat with Media Executives” at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
The event, according to the CDS, is part of the military's ongoing efforts to strengthen understanding, build public trust and deepen transparency between the military, the media and the Nigerian people.
The CDS began by expressing the heartfelt condolences of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the families and communities affected by the recent violent spate of attacks.
"We especially grieve with the nation over the tragic losses in Yelwata, Benue State, and other affected areas in both the southern and northern regions of our country. These senseless acts of violence against fellow citizens weigh heavily on our hearts. As always, we remain fully committed to ensuring that justice is served and that peace and stability are restored to all corners of Nigeria," he said
He noted that exactly 2 years ago, the President entrusted the leadership of the respective Services, the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as the Defence Headquarters to him and the current Service Chiefs to steer the Armed Forces of Nigeria through one of the most challenging periods in our national history. He said since then, they have been working as a unified team to respond to the ever-evolving security threats facing the country.
He commended the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, who passed away in November 2024, noting that after the inauguration for hit the ground running, bringing renewed vigour, professionalism and continuity to the strategic direction of the Nigerian Army. His seamless transition has been vital in maintaining the momentum and cohesion we have built over the past 2 years.
The CDS revealed that the military is contending with an array of adaptive and unconventional threats from non-state actors, including terrorism, insurgency, banditry, secessionist violence and other forms of organised crime, because the security landscape of our dear country remains dynamic and complex.
He stressed that these multifaceted threats underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive, multidimensional and multidisciplinary approach. In response, the Armed Forces have fully embraced the Whole-of-Society Approach: a framework that emphasises synergy among the military, government institutions and the people as a unified trinity in the fight against insecurity.
"In this context, the media is not just a supporting actor but a central player. Nigerians are deeply interested in understanding their security situation and future prospects; hence, the narratives you shape as media professionals will significantly influence public sentiment, national unity and peacebuilding.
He affirmed that the President Bola Tinubu government has been steadfast in ensuring that his Renewed Hope Agenda brings tangible security and development to all Nigerians. "Let me encourage us all not to despair, even in the face of temporary setbacks. Be assured that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in synergy with all security forces, are determined to overcome these challenges and make insecurity a thing of the past," he said
Also, the Special Guest of Honour, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, ably represented by retired Major General Ahmed Tijani Jibril, Special Adviser on Technical, urged the media to take terrorists off their screens, remove them from the headlines of their radio stations. "They don't deserve it. They should be treated for what they are. They are the enemies of this country, and we must treat them as such.
"We have seen a renewed commitment. We have also seen a new cohesion and unity within all the parts of our armed forces to ensure that we win this war. We want to especially commend the CDS and other service chiefs for making sure that all of them come together so that they can win this war.
He affirmed that the Ministry of Defence will continue to support our military, not just with arms and equipment, but with policies that strengthen intelligence gathering, enhance inter-agency coordination and promote the welfare of personnel and their families. The media is expected to report not only what has gone wrong, but what is being done right.
In his remarks, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, lauded the military’s ongoing efforts not only in combating threats on the battlefield but also in reaching out to the media and public to foster mutual understanding and trust.
He commended the CDS led leadership willingness to engage directly with media leaders, and for creating platforms such as the expanded media chat to bridge the gap between operations on the ground and public discourse.
He urged media practitioners to desist from amplifying the voices or actions of terrorists and align firmly with Nigeria’s Armed Forces in the war against insurgency.
“It is not encouraging when I see the Nigerian media prioritizing the news of terrorists and criminal elements over what our men and women in uniform are doing. They are working for Nigeria. They are fighting for us. You cannot side with the enemy.”
He urged journalists and media owners to take terrorists off the front pages, remove them from the headlines, and instead celebrate the patriotism and progress being made by Nigeria’s armed forces and security personnel.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, described the “CDS Expanded Chat with Media Executives” parley as reflecting one of the leadership tenets of the CDS — building a people-centric military institution.
He said the media parley is a milestone in the armed forces’ commitment to addressing Nigeria’s complex security challenges.
"This media parley was not just to showcase achievements but to build stronger relationships between the military and the media, with the ultimate goal of keeping Nigerians properly informed about the activities, challenges and sacrifices of the Armed Forces," he said
He reaffirmed the military’s resolve to keep the public well-informed on the activities, sacrifices, and successes of the armed forces; it will remain undeterred, professional, and faithful to its constitutional mandate to defend the territorial integrity of the nation and protect the lives and property of all Nigerians.
According to him, the ongoing operations are not just aimed at containing threats but at eliminating the root causes of insecurity through a combination of combat missions, civil-military cooperation, and community engagement.
Military Eliminated 6,260 Terrorists, Rescued 5,365 Hostages Rescued in 2 Years, Says DHQ
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has disclosed that its troops eliminated no fewer than 6,260 terrorists, arrested 14,138 insurgents, bandits, kidnappers, economic saboteurs and other criminals, rescued 5,365 kidnap victims and recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition during the same period during joint military operations conducted across the country over the past two years.
Deputy Director of Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Ibrahim Abu-Mawashi, disclosed this on Thursday during an Expanded Parley with Media Executives in Abuja. The event was organized to mark the 2nd anniversary of the appointment of General Christopher Gwabin Musa as the 16th Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), along with other service chiefs.
Giving the regional Operational Highlights, Brig. Gen Abu-Mawashi said in South-South (Operation Delta Safe), Troops recovered crude oil and products worth approximately ₦83 billion. In addition, 103 criminals were neutralized, 2,760 suspects arrested, and 266 kidnapped civilians rescued.
In North-East (Operation Hadin Kai): Military efforts in the region led to the killing of 1,246 Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists, while 2,467 were apprehended. Troops also rescued 1,920 civilians, recovered 982 firearms, and 2,153 rounds of ammunition.
In North-West (Operation Fagge Yamma): Operations led to the elimination of 1,374 bandits, including top commanders, across Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, and Sokoto States. Additionally, 2,160 suspects were arrested and 3,288 hostages freed. Weapons recovered included 947 firearms and 25,802 rounds of ammunition.
In North-Central: A total of 730 terrorists and bandits were killed, while 7,153 violent extremists were captured. Troops rescued 1,510 civilians and seized 1,065 weapons along with 19,709 rounds of ammunition.
South-East (Operation UDO KA): Troops neutralized 440 terrorists and arrested 1,677 suspects. 294 civilians were rescued, with 683 weapons and 21,300 rounds of ammunition recovered.
South-West (Joint Task Force): Military operations resulted in the killing of 80 criminals and the arrest of 1,763 others. Troops rescued 89 kidnap victims and recovered 143 weapons and an impressive 177,904 rounds of ammunition.
During the briefing session, the three services briefed the media of their operational achievement in two years, that is, between 29th May 2023 and 29th May 2025.
The highlight of the event is the presentation of a Special Documentary on "Unsung Heroes", operation briefs by the Service Chiefs, and an Interactive session with media executives.