The Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, has called for greater collaboration and responsible reporting from the media, particularly in light of the asymmetric warfare being fought in Nigeria’s North-East.
He made this appeal while receiving the Defence Correspondents’ team, led by the Deputy Director of Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Abu-Mawashi, during their operational visit to the Theatre Command in Maiduguri.
Addressing the correspondents, Major General Abubakar emphasised the importance of media support in shaping public perception and strengthening national unity in the fight against insurgency. “It is not the terrorists against the armed forces; it is terrorists against Nigeria as a nation. Once we understand this and present a common front, we will achieve more tangible victories,” he said. 
The Theatre Commander decried the negative impact of misinformation and fake news circulated on social media, citing instances where old video clips have been used to falsely accuse soldiers of misconduct. “Some of these videos date back to 2013 or 2015, yet they are pushed as current events, misleading the public and inciting communities. We must fact-check and verify before publishing,” he stressed.
He also highlighted the military’s professionalism and ongoing commitment to respecting human rights, noting that pre-induction and in-theatre training are regularly conducted with support from international organisations such as the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross. “We are not claiming perfection, but we take human rights seriously. Over 60 persons are currently undergoing trial, and no erring personnel is shielded from the law,” he added. 
On media coverage of military engagements, Abubakar lamented that while fallen soldiers are rightly honoured, successes against terrorists are often underreported. “One of our officers was killed in an encounter, and that became the headline. But 15 terrorists were neutralised in that same operation, and most media platforms ignored it. This skews public perception,” he said.
The team lead and Deputy Director of Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Dahiru Abu-Mawashi underscored the purpose of the media’s presence in the theatre. “We have heard what you do, but we have not seen it. So it is necessary for correspondents to come down and interact with front-line troops to get the true picture of what the military is doing,” he said. “Our role is strategic communication—what we say, how we behave, and the image we project. That is the essence of this visit.” 
He described the visit as a homecoming and a bridge-building mission. He also commended the patriotic spirit of the Defence Correspondents and stressed the importance of aligning facts with the national interest in their reports.
Earlier, while briefing the team on the activities of Operation Hadin Kai over the past year, Major Ademola Owolana highlighted some of the persistent threats and tactical challenges the theatre continues to face, including threats from ISWAP and JAS terrorists who frequently deploy IEDs, drones, and booby traps. 
He further underscored the operational gains across land, air, and sea despite these challenges, which have led to the recovery of arms, neutralisation of terrorist leaders, rescue of hostages, and improved coordination among army, air, and maritime components.
He emphasised socioeconomic stabilisation and intelligence-led countermeasures, which have enabled the successful hosting of public events such as religious crusades and the dismantling of arms racketeering rings (including corrupt insiders and traditional rulers). 
As the military continues to confront the evolving challenges of asymmetric warfare, the leadership expressed confidence that increased media engagement will help build mutual trust and combat misinformation, ultimately contributing to lasting peace in the region.
The visiting media team is expected to conduct on-the-spot assessments, interact with troops and local communities, and verify claims regarding military operations and human rights practices.
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