A media and security expert, Prof. Ikechukwu, has cautioned journalists against turning national security issues into sensational headlines, warning that irresponsible reportage and the dissemination of demoralizing images or information could undermine military operations and national cohesion.
Speaking to a group of journalists in Abuja at the weekend on the relationship between the media and the armed forces, the professor questioned the value of publishing reports capable of weakening public confidence and dampening the morale of troops risking their lives to protect the country. He argued that no responsible journalist should take pride in amplifying the worst narratives about the nation without considering their implications for security and national unity.
According to him, recent tensions have emerged over reports by some individuals and media organizations which, in certain cases, appeared to be driven by mischief or deliberate attempts to sow disaffection. While acknowledging the professionalism exhibited by the majority of media practitioners in Nigeria, he expressed concern over instances of inaccurate, sensational and irresponsible reporting that could undermine military and security operations.
Prof. Ikechukwu, who is the Executive Director of Development Specs Academy Abuja, also warned against the growing spread of video clips, misinformation, disinformation and distorted data presented as objective reports. Such practices, he said, not only mislead the public but also weaken national efforts to confront prevailing security challenges.
He stressed that a healthy relationship between the media and the military remains essential in any democratic society. According to him, while the media has the responsibility of informing the public and holding institutions accountable, it must avoid disseminating information capable of creating social tension or jeopardizing national security. The military, he noted, bears the difficult responsibility of protecting the country and preserving its territorial integrity.
The professor further highlighted the enormous pressures confronting Nigeria’s armed forces, noting that the country lacks sufficient personnel to effectively cover its vast territory. He added that the military, particularly the Army, has become overstretched by numerous internal security assignments that ordinarily should not fall within its mandate. Combined with inadequate funding, poor equipment and what he described as the irresponsible actions of some politicians, these challenges, he warned, are negatively affecting the operational effectiveness and morale of the nation’s fighting forces.
Prof. Ikechukwu noted that while the media has a constitutional responsibility to hold public institutions accountable, journalists must exercise caution when reporting issues that have implications for national security.
According to him, rather than focusing solely on battlefield setbacks and isolated incidents, the media should also interrogate the operational challenges confronting the armed forces, including funding constraints and logistical limitations that affect their performance.
He observed that many commentators who had been critical of the worsening security situation were surprised to learn at a recent civil forum that only seven per cent of the Nigerian Army’s 2026 budget had reportedly been released, a development that sparked outrage among participants.
“The army cannot embark on a public campaign or openly speak about these challenges, but the media can. Therefore, when commentators venture into areas they do not fully understand, they often overstep the bounds and act in ways that may be considered irresponsible,” he said.
The professor identified some manifestations of irresponsible media practice as the publication of unverified reports, sensationalising security incidents for attention or profit, disclosing sensitive operational information and employing inflammatory language capable of fuelling public panic and ethnic tensions. He also warned against politically motivated reporting that fails to provide balanced coverage of security matters.
He further cautioned that the proliferation of online journalism and social media platforms has accelerated the spread of misinformation, allowing inaccurate reports to reach millions before proper verification. Such reports, he said, could compromise military operations by exposing troop movements, operational locations and strategic plans, thereby aiding terrorists, insurgents and other criminal groups.
Prof. Ikechukwu added that the persistent circulation of misleading information could erode public confidence in the military and other security agencies, dampen the morale of troops operating under difficult conditions and create unnecessary fear among citizens. He warned that hostile elements often exploit such narratives to reinforce propaganda and advance their objectives.