FG URGES RESPONSIBLE LANGUAGE IN SECURITY REPORTING, WARNS AGAINST HARMFUL LABELS

Read Time:2 Minute, 30 Second

By: Muftau Fatimo

The Federal Government has called for greater responsibility in the use of language in security operations, media reporting, and public discourse, warning that careless or inaccurate definitions can deepen divisions and undermine national unity.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the call at a high-level conference organised by the Whiteink Institute for Strategy Education and Research Nigeria (WISER) on “Contextualising Definitions and Terminologies to Address Stereotyping and Ethnic Profiling in Discourses and Security Operations in West Africa.” He was represented by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council (NPC), Dr. Dili Ezughah.

“Definitions are not neutral. They carry weight. They influence how communities are seen and how they are treated,” the Minister stated.

“When definitions are careless or inaccurate, they can reinforce stereotypes, deepen divisions and create mistrust between citizens and the institutions meant to protect them,” he added.

Idris emphasised that Nigeria’s diversity demands careful, responsible, and context-driven communication, especially in addressing security challenges. He cautioned against linking criminal activities to ethnic or religious identities, noting that such narratives could erode trust and cooperation.

“We must promote accuracy in language. We must also ensure that individuals are held accountable for their actions without generalizing blame to entire groups,” he said.

“We must distinguish clearly between criminal behavior and identity.”

He highlighted ongoing efforts by the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthen unity and rebuild trust between citizens and institutions, citing the National Values Charter as a key initiative.

“The charter provides a clear framework outlining the government’s responsibilities to citizens and citizens’ responsibilities to the nation,” he said. “Its purpose is simple, to rebuild trust and create a common understanding of what it means to be Nigerian.”

The Minister noted that the National Orientation Agency is spearheading nationwide campaigns to promote responsible citizenship, counter harmful narratives, and foster unity, while Citizens’ Engagement initiatives are enhancing interaction between government and the public.

On security, Idris reaffirmed that the Federal Government is strengthening the country’s security architecture to tackle evolving threats such as terrorism, banditry, and organised crime. He revealed that a comprehensive framework for a phased transition to state policing has been developed.

“A comprehensive framework… proposes a carefully phased transition to a decentralized policing system over a 60-month period,” he said, adding that “strong safeguards have been embedded to prevent political misuse.”

He also highlighted Nigeria’s continued collaboration with international partners in intelligence sharing, capacity building, and counter-terrorism, while cautioning against misrepresentation of the country in global narratives.

“While challenges exist, they do not define our country. Nigeria remains a place where different religious groups coexist… and where government continues to take steps to strengthen inclusion and fairness,” he affirmed.

The Minister called on media practitioners to uphold professionalism and responsibility, particularly in the digital age where information spreads rapidly.

“Reporting must be responsible, verified and sensitive to context. The consequences of misinformation or careless framing can be severe,” he said.