Air Chief Decries Misinformation, Hostile Narratives About Military Operations

Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the Chief of the Air Staff, has expressed concern over the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and hostile narratives surrounding military operations. These digital issues, he said, damage public confidence in the Nigerian Air Force. Speaking at the opening of the 2026 Directorate of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI) Annual Media Workshop in Abuja, Aneke emphasized that in today's rapidly evolving information landscape, effective communication is critical to mission success.

He noted that in such a dynamic environment, professional communication is not just supportive, but an essential part of military operations. Represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Yaro Abdullahi, Aneke stressed that information officers are strategic communicators who represent the Air Force's image and credibility.

He explained that every communication, from press releases to media engagements and crisis responses, must reflect accuracy, professionalism, integrity, and timeliness. Aneke urged the service to remain proactive in communication, tackle evolving security challenges, and improve engagement with stakeholders, counter misinformation, manage crises effectively, and reinforce public confidence.

In his keynote paper, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VOA), highlighted the increasing complexity of the Nigerian Air Force's security environment, where narratives can be weapons and information vacuums can become strategic vulnerabilities. He stressed that credible communication can be a powerful tool to strengthen public confidence, protect institutional reputation, and support the overall mission of the service.