The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called on media professionals across the country to deny terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements the undue publicity they crave, urging the press to remain patriotic and responsible in their reportage.
He made this call on Tuesday, May 7, 2025, while addressing journalists during the seventh edition of the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing Series held at the National Press Centre, Radio House, Abuja.
The event featured presentations from the Honourable Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Abbas, and the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, as well as the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Muhammed Bello Matawalle.
Mohammed Idris emphasized the crucial role of the media in national development and security, stating that Nigeria cannot achieve sustainable growth without peace and stability.
“This forum presents a vital opportunity to update Nigerians on the key achievements and policy directions of the Ministries of Defence and Environment,We must continue to deny criminals the platform they seek. These are not freedom fighters they are murderers and kidnappers, and should be reported as such.” he noted.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transparency and accountability through the ongoing press briefing series, added that every minister in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Administration will have the opportunity to engage with the public in the build-up to the 2025 Democracy Day celebration.
The Minister highlighted significant gains made by the Armed Forces in countering terrorism, banditry, and other threats to national security, attributing the progress to enhanced intelligence gathering, acquisition of modern military platforms, training of personnel, and strategic global partnerships.
Idris concluded by commending the media for their commitment to the success of the Ministerial Briefing Series and encouraged continuous collaboration in shaping public opinion constructively.
The session was broadcast live on national television and streamed across social media platforms to ensure wide public participation.
