Information is still Power

Nigerian Presidency on February 1st 2021 said the war against insurgency is underreported. The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, cited that the military\’s ambush against insurgents was reported as an attack on the military. The reports, according to him, did not mention what the insurgents suffered. For over ten years, the northeast conflict escalated, there have been issues on information on the status of the war. For example, on 16th January 2021, new reports claimed that Nigerian troops and villagers fled when insurgents overran a military base. A report Nigeria\’s Defense Headquarters (DHQ) later denied.

There have been back and forth reports and denials, invasions and arrests in the past. In January 2019, soldiers invaded the Maiduguri and Abuja offices of the Daily Trust newspaper. Computers and other technological gadgets were confiscated during the raid, and the Regional Editor of the Maiduguri office and one reporter were taken into custody by the military operatives. The Army spokesman later revealed the reason for the invasion and arrest. He justified the onslaught saying that the Daily Trust published a story which violated the official secrecy act. Similarly, Samuel Ogundipe of Premium Times was arrested by security operatives who tried to force him to reveal his report\’s source.

In that year of arrests, Nextier SPD released an article that tried to analyse the war on terror and public rights to know. The publication emphasises collaboration between news agencies and military outfits. It recommends that military strategies for fighting the war on terror should be laid at the public domain through an informed press briefing. Without adequate and accurate information intentionally put out by the military, the situation will create room for fake news and unverified information to fester. Nigeria\’s military agencies must improve press briefing on the status of the war. The military should collaborate with media agencies to report news on counterinsurgency and counterterrorism missions. The business of conveying information about the conflict is a sensitive activity as it can impact the psyche of troops fighting the war and war-impacted communities. Information is still power and must be utilised in the war against insurgency.

The military and society\’s gaps must be plugged by intentional communication and committed efforts to renew public trust and confidence. Therefore, the military must liaise with news media to organise regular press briefings on military missions and new developments. The era of social media even makes the proliferation of unverified news more profound. Hence, it is crucial to improve efficiency in news reportage. To achieve a robust communication channel, Nigerian military agencies should improve partnership with media outlets to encourage verified information flow. The northeast insurgency is an ideological war; therefore, tailored messages through efficient communication strategies are essential to counteract conflict entrepreneurs\’ brainwashing antics. In addition to unverifiable information, members of the public can access. Effective communication on the part of Nigerian military forces must be seen as a strategy of counterinsurgency.