By Erewunmi Peace

The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to all paramilitary agencies in the country to desist from releasing false or misleading press statements that may damage public trust and national reputation.

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, gave the directive over the weekend during the Media Masterclass 2025, held in Abuja. The training was organized to strengthen professionalism and public communication among Public Relations Officers (PROs) of key paramilitary agencies under the Ministry.

“Stop lying to Nigerians. Your job is to inform and engage the public with integrity, not to deceive or confuse them,” the Minister said.

Agencies Involved

The session was attended by representatives of:

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)

Nigerian Correctional Service

Nigeria Immigration Service

Federal Fire Service

Dr. Tunji-Ojo emphasized the need for public relations units of these agencies to embrace transparency, empathy, and accuracy in all public statements and media interactions.

What the Minister Said

“The era of spinning stories, defending poor performance, or misinforming the public is over. Nigerians deserve the truth—no matter how uncomfortable.”

He urged the PROs to see themselves as nation builders, not image manipulators, and to promote the integrity of their institutions by communicating facts clearly and responsibly.

Why This Matters

This move comes amid growing concerns over conflicting press releases from some paramilitary agencies, particularly on recruitment exercises, security incidents, and internal controversies that have misled or confused the public.

The Minister’s message underscores the FG’s push for greater accountability and public sector reform in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.