Military Must Win Public Trust, Counter Negative Narratives — CDS

DHQ Harps on Psychological Operations to Tackle Insecurity

Military Must Win Public Trust, Counter Negative Narratives — CDS

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has underscored the importance of psychological operations and other non-kinetic strategies in addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges, stressing that modern warfare extends beyond the use of force.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, stated this at the closing ceremony of a Psychological Operations Workshop organised by the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

General Oluyede noted that psychological operations have become a critical component of modern military engagements, particularly in an era marked by non-conventional threats and asymmetric warfare.

Speaking at the workshop, security experts emphasized that the success of contemporary military operations is no longer determined solely by combat strength, but also by the ability to win the hearts and minds of the people, build public confidence, and counter negative narratives capable of undermining national security efforts.

The experts maintained that influence operations, strategic communication, and public engagement have become indispensable tools in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and national stabilization.

They added that fostering trust between security agencies and citizens remains vital to strengthening national resilience and sustaining security gains across the country.

The workshop, which brought together military personnel and security stakeholders, focused on “Building National Resilience and Exploring the Role of Influence Operations in Conflict Prevention and Stabilization.”

Participants examined ways of leveraging psychological operations to prevent conflicts, combat misinformation, and promote greater public support for national security initiatives.