Minna: The Niger government has solicited for media collaboration on how to address the challenge of misinformation in reporting security issues. The Commissioner for Homeland Security, Retired Gen. Muhammed Bello, made the call during a pre-security summit news conference in Minna on Monday. Bello stated that misinformation and disinformation posed significant threats to effective security information management in the state, emphasizing the need for strategic communication to balance transparency and confidentiality.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, the state government is exploring ways to collaborate with the media to ensure accurate and responsible reporting on security matters. The commissioner highlighted that security information management involves systematically collecting, analyzing, sharing, and protecting information about threats, incidents, vulnerabilities, and risks that impact public safety. Bello pointed out that the rise of social media and digital platforms has heightened the risk of misinformation affecting public perception and security.

The state government plans to host a security summit on May 22, which will gather government officials, security agencies, traditional and religious institutions, youth and women associations, inter-tribal organizations, transport groups, human rights groups, and the media to discuss collaborative approaches to security and peacebuilding. Bello disclosed that the theme of the summit would be: Collaborative Approaches to Security and Peace Building with a View to Safeguarding Niger State Security Information Management.