The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General WB Idris, has called for sustained military-media collaboration to enhance ongoing counter-terrorism operations and restore lasting peace and security across the North West region.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja.
General Idris made the call on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, when he hosted members of the media to a Media Parley at the Theatre Headquarters in Gusau. The event, the first of its kind in the Theatre, drew a large number of media practitioners from across Zamfara State.
In his remarks, the Theatre Commander described the media as a critical partner in the fight against terrorism. He noted that while troops continue to make enormous sacrifices through kinetic and non-kinetic operations, military action must be complemented by responsible media reportage.
He stressed that the media occupies a strategic position in shaping public understanding of the security situation, strengthening national resilience and building public confidence in efforts to restore peace in affected communities.
General Idris further observed that terrorists seek not only to inflict physical harm but also to exploit the information space to spread fear, attract publicity and exaggerate their strength. He therefore urged journalists to be conscious in the framing and presentation of terrorism-related reports to avoid inadvertently glorifying terrorists or giving them undue publicity and psychological advantage.
He also encouraged journalists to verify sensitive security information through appropriate channels and to report operational developments accurately, responsibly and in proper context.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Zamfara State Council, Ibrahim Musa Maizare, commended the Theatre Commander for organizing the parley. He described it as the first of its kind in the history of military operations in the state and said such engagements would enhance military-media relations.
Maizare pledged the unwavering support and cooperation of media practitioners in the state to the military in its efforts to restore lasting peace and security.
Highlights of the parley included an interactive session on security, information management and military-media relations, as well as a visit to the Theatre’s “Wall of Heroes” — a memorial bearing the names of Operation FANSAN YAMMA personnel who paid the supreme sacrifice since the inception of the operation.