Former Chief of Army Staff, COAS, retired Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, says giving journalists access to the battlefield helped the Nigerian Army counter Boko Haram’s propaganda and weaken the group’s control of information.
Buratai, a former Nigerian ambassador to Benin Republic, made the statement on Friday in Abuja when members of the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria, DECAN, Annual Lecture and Awards Committee paid him a courtesy visit.
He said his administration deliberately strengthened relations between the Army and the media by allowing defence correspondents to accompany troops to operational theatres and report military activities firsthand.
He said Boko Haram had exploited the media to propagate its ideology, spread misinformation and demoralize citizens and troops.
“We broke the jinx that you don’t report on the military while in action in Nigeria. The best way to counter the propaganda was to ensure that journalists had direct access to the battlefield and could report events as they unfolded,” he said.
Buratai recalled an operation towards Gamboru-Ngala in which journalists accompanying troops witnessed an ambush that killed one soldier and wounded two others, including a general.
He said the frontline coverage highlighted the intensity of the operation and demonstrated the Army’s resolve to defeat the insurgents.
According to him, the approach subsequently prevented Boko Haram from having a monopoly over the narrative of its activities before the public and the international community.
The former COAS stressed that timely and credible information remained critical to modern military strategy, noting that ineffective communication of military activities could undermine operational objectives.
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“Your part is very important,” Buratai told the defence correspondents, while commending them for their role in reporting the activities and achievements of the military.
He said defence journalism was particularly important because the sector was central to national security, development, social cohesion and national unity.
Buratai accepted DECAN’s invitation to serve as guest lecturer at its 2026 Annual Lecture and Awards Ceremony, describing the theme as contemporary and relevant to Nigeria’s national security needs.
He also expressed appreciation for his nomination for the Distinguished Leadership Award, describing the recognition as one he deeply cherished.
The former Army chief urged DECAN to sustain its relationship with the military and continue using professional journalism to contribute to national development.
DECAN President, Odita Sunday, said the association invited Buratai as guest lecturer because of his extensive experience in military leadership and national security.
Odita said Buratai’s participation would enrich discussions and provide insights for policymakers, security professionals, journalists and academics.
He said the lecture, themed “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-Led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security,” was timely, given the changing nature of security threats.
According to him, emerging threats increasingly require the integration of technology, intelligence, cyber capabilities, surveillance systems and other non-kinetic tools.
Odita said the lecture would provide a platform for informed discussions on strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to anticipate, prevent and respond to emerging security threats.
NAN
