Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, yesterday, said that Nigeria’s battle against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime and disinformation cannot be won without a strong alliance between the media and security agencies, warning that fake news has become a major threat to national security.

Speaking at the National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in collaboration with the Department of State Services, DSS, in Abuja, the minister urged journalists and security institutions to forge a closer partnership to protect the country from both physical and information-based threats.

Addressing participants, Idris said the media and security agencies occupy strategic positions in safeguarding national stability and must work together to strengthen public trust, preserve national unity and advance development.

“While security agencies are entrusted with protecting lives, property and national sovereignty, the media serves as the watchdog of society and the bridge between government and citizens. Both institutions share a common objective , safeguarding the national interest and promoting peace, unity and development,” he said.

The minister stressed that Nigeria was facing increasingly sophisticated security challenges ranging from terrorism and violent extremism to cybercrime, organised crime, separatist agitations and the growing menace of misinformation and disinformation.

Idris warned that irresponsible reporting and the unchecked spread of false information could undermine security operations, inflame tensions and erode public confidence in state institutions.

“National security is not served when misinformation is amplified without verification. Neither is it served when legitimate public concerns are ignored.

The challenge before us is to strike the right balance between the public’s right to know and the imperative of protecting national security,” he stated.

He said the administration of President Bola Tinubu has placed security at the centre of its renewed hope agenda, deploying a multi-pronged strategy involving military operations, intelligence gathering, technological innovation, inter-agency cooperation and community engagement.

Highlighting gains recorded by security forces, Idris said hundreds of terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements had been neutralised or arrested, while several criminal camps and hideouts had been dismantled across the country.

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ilorin Zonal Directorate, have arrested a Nigerian-American, Adegoke Oluwatobi Adams, for an alleged cross-border vehicle import fraud involving more than $320,000 (approximately N434.88 million).

According to the agency, Adams, who holds dual citizenship of Nigeria and the United States of America, is being investigated for alleged criminal breach of trust and obtaining money by false pretence.

In the statement shared on its official X handle, the EFCC said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly belongs to a syndicate based in the United States that specialises in defrauding unsuspecting Nigerians under the guise of purchasing and importing vehicles for them.

The investigations, according to the EFCC, further revealed that, while residing in the United States, Adams allegedly advertised and circulated photographs of a 2024 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG to prospective buyers in Nigeria, promising to purchase and ship the luxury vehicle to them.

“Findings revealed that two victims allegedly paid a total sum of $320,000 (over N434.88 million) for the vehicle. One of the victims, Ikechukwu Osita Ifeabunike, reportedly paid $145,000 through an intermediary, while another victim, Godson Azubuike Amans, allegedly paid $175,000 for the same vehicle,” the statement said.

It added said that further investigation also uncovered a prior criminal record involving Adams in the United States, allegedly related to the illegal acquisition of vehicles.

The suspect was eventually arrested by operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC upon his return to Nigeria.

The statement disclosed that the suspect will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of ongoing investigations.