Former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, has called on Nigerians to actively support the Federal Government’s initiatives and help combat the spread of misinformation by terrorists and bandits. He made this appeal during his speech at the 2025 Voice of Nigeria (VON) Forum held on Tuesday in Abuja. The event, themed “Renewed Hope Agenda: Citizen Engagement and National Security,” was organized by Voice of Nigeria with backing from the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.

Buratai emphasized that citizen engagement plays a crucial role in national security, highlighting that this aspect has long been neglected or informal in Nigeria’s governance and security framework. He cited Sweden as an example, explaining how its well-coordinated citizen engagement led to the formation of a national defense force and even contributed to the development of the Navy SEALs.

According to Buratai, involving citizens—especially tech-savvy youths active in cybersecurity—can act as a powerful tool to amplify intelligence efforts and protect strategic national infrastructure. He stressed the need for these youths to be empowered to counter fake news and the propaganda spread by criminal elements in both traditional and social media spaces.

He also noted that terrorists and bandits actively use media platforms to push their agendas, making it vital for ordinary citizens to help counter these narratives. By doing so, the public can contribute meaningfully to national security efforts and demonstrate that the entire country stands united against crime and terrorism.

Buratai praised President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing it as a visionary and long-term strategy rather than a short-term or temporary fix. He believes the policies under this administration will bring sustainable development and economic progress. He concluded by commending the Voice of Nigeria and its Director-General, Malam Jibrin Ndace, for organizing the forum and fostering dialogue around national development and citizen participation.