FANSAN YAMMA Commander Seeks Stronger Military-Media Partnership in Fight Against Terrorism

By Zagazola Makama

The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Maj. Gen. W.B. Idris, has called for stronger and sustained collaboration between the military and the media to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations and accelerate the restoration of lasting peace across the North West.

Idris made the call on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, when he hosted media practitioners to a media parley at the Theatre Headquarters in Gusau, Zamfara State.

The engagement, described as the first of its kind since the commencement of military operations in the state, brought together journalists from across Zamfara for an interactive session aimed at strengthening understanding and cooperation between the military and the media.

The Theatre Commander described the media as a critical partner in the fight against terrorism, noting that the sacrifices being made by troops through sustained kinetic and non-kinetic operations needed to be complemented by responsible journalism.

According to him, the media occupies a strategic position in shaping public understanding of the security situation, strengthening national resilience and building public confidence in ongoing efforts to restore peace.

He said terrorists were increasingly seeking to exploit the information environment by spreading fear, attracting publicity and exaggerating their capabilities.

Idris therefore urged journalists to exercise greater responsibility when reporting terrorism and security-related incidents, particularly in the choice of headlines and presentation of information.

He cautioned against reports that could inadvertently glorify terrorists, romanticise their activities or give criminal elements the publicity and psychological advantage they seek.

The Commander also urged journalists to verify sensitive security information through appropriate channels and ensure that operational developments were reported accurately and within the proper context.

He said responsible reporting would help deny terrorists the opportunity to manipulate public perception while strengthening confidence in the efforts of security agencies.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Zamfara State Council, Ibrahim Musa Maizare, commended the Theatre Commander for initiating the engagement.

Maizare described the parley as a significant milestone in military-media relations in the state, saying it would enable journalists to better understand the security challenges confronting the region and the sacrifices being made by troops.

He pledged the continued support and cooperation of journalists in Zamfara to Operation FANSAN YAMMA and other security agencies in the collective effort to restore peace.

The parley also featured an interactive session during which journalists and the Theatre Commander exchanged views on security reporting, information management and ways of improving military-media relations.

Participants were subsequently taken on a visit to the Theatre’s Wall of Heroes, a memorial bearing the names of personnel of Operation FANSAN YAMMA who have paid the supreme sacrifice since the commencement of the operation.

The visit provided an opportunity for the media to appreciate the human cost of the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign and the sacrifices made by troops in the service of the nation.

The engagement came as security forces continue to intensify operations against terrorists and armed criminal groups across the North West, with sustained emphasis on both military action and non-kinetic measures aimed at restoring stability and rebuilding public confidence in affected communities.

FANSAN YAMMA Commander Seeks Stronger Military-Media Partnership in Fight Against Terrorism