In a renewed push to strengthen the fight against insurgency and consolidate peace in Nigeria’s North-East, ICTV24 and the military have pledged deeper strategic collaboration, with a focus on countering extremist propaganda, promoting responsible journalism and supporting sustainable security across the region.
The commitment emerged during a high-level courtesy visit by the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ICTV24, Ambassador Babagana Bukar Wakil Ngala, to the Theatre Commander of Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Major General I.A. Ajose, at the Theatre Headquarters, Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.
The visit, which brought together senior journalists and executive members of the media organisation, underscored the growing importance of media-military cooperation in addressing the security challenges confronting Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and other parts of the North-East.
At the centre of the engagement was a shared determination to strengthen the information front of the counter-insurgency campaign, combat misinformation and extremist narratives, and promote community-driven initiatives capable of sustaining peace and stability.
Speaking during the meeting, Ambassador Ngala traced the establishment of ICTV24 to 2015, explaining that the organisation was founded to challenge Boko Haram propaganda, promote peaceful coexistence and support efforts aimed at restoring security across the North-East, the Lake Chad Basin and the wider Sahel region.
He stressed that the media has a critical responsibility in shaping public understanding of the conflict, countering terrorist narratives and amplifying credible information that encourages communities to reject violence and embrace peace.
According to him, ICTV24 remains committed to working with relevant security institutions and other stakeholders to promote accurate reporting, strengthen public confidence and contribute meaningfully to the region’s recovery.
Welcoming the delegation, Major General Ajose expressed the Theatre Command’s readiness to deepen its working relationship with ICTV24, describing media collaboration as an important component of the broader campaign against insurgency.
The Theatre Commander noted that winning the counter-insurgency war requires more than military operations, stressing that lasting peace cannot be achieved through battlefield victories alone.
He emphasised that communities, government institutions, traditional authorities and the media must work collectively to address the underlying challenges of insecurity and prevent the resurgence of extremist activities.
Ajose also highlighted what he described as significant operational gains recorded under Operation HADIN KAI, including the prevention of high-threat insurgent attacks, the neutralisation of hostile elements and the increasing number of insurgents voluntarily surrendering across the operational theatre.
He maintained that sustaining these gains requires effective communication, public cooperation and responsible dissemination of information capable of strengthening the relationship between security forces and the civilian population.
However, the Theatre Commander used the opportunity to remind journalists of the sensitive nature of conflict reporting, urging media organisations to uphold professionalism, accuracy and ethical standards in their coverage of military operations.
He particularly stressed the importance of thorough fact-checking and verification before publishing security-related reports, warning that inaccurate or unverified information could compromise operational activities, create unnecessary panic and undermine ongoing peacebuilding efforts.
The warning, he noted, should not be interpreted as an attempt to restrict press freedom but as a call for responsible journalism that recognises the security implications of information dissemination during counter-insurgency operations.
A major highlight of the engagement was the presentation of a commemorative plaque by Ambassador Ngala to Major General Ajose in recognition of his strategic leadership, contributions to counter-terrorism operations and commitment to national security.
In a reciprocal gesture, the Theatre Commander presented official tokens of appreciation to the ICTV24 founder, symbolising mutual respect and the shared commitment to strengthening institutional cooperation between the military and the media.
The exchange further reinforced the spirit of partnership that defined the meeting, with both sides recognising that credible information and effective security operations are complementary tools in the quest for lasting peace.
At the end of the engagement, ICTV24 and Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining regular communication, encouraging transparent and fact-based reporting, promoting ethical journalism and expanding areas of cooperation.
The partnership is expected to strengthen public awareness, counter extremist propaganda and encourage greater civilian support for security initiatives across the North-East.
For a region that has endured years of insurgency, displacement and economic disruption, the renewed military-media engagement sends a strong message that the battle for lasting peace must be fought not only on the battlefield but also through credible information, public trust and collective responsibility.
As Operation HADIN KAI continues its mission to restore stability, the growing partnership with ICTV24 highlights the strategic role of the media as a partner in peacebuilding, national security and the fight against violent extremism.
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