The Nigerian government and security experts have highlighted the critical role of responsible language in addressing insecurity and curbing ethnic profiling across the country.
Speaking at a recent two-day security event in Abuja, the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC) warned that careless or imprecise terminology in security discourse can deepen societal divisions, encourage ethnic stereotyping, and erode public trust.
Major General Adamu Garba Laka, National Coordinator of NCTC, emphasized that the framing and communication of security issues can either foster national unity or heighten mistrust among communities. Speaking on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Laka stressed that lasting security requires more than military interventions; it also depends on building trust, preventive strategies, and responsible communication.
“Stereotyping and ethnic profiling impede intelligence gathering and reduce cooperation between security agencies and local populations,” Laka said, urging that security discussions remain factual and unbiased.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, through the Nigerian Press Council’s Executive Secretary, Dili Ezughah, reinforced this message. He noted that inaccurate descriptions in media reporting or official communication can strengthen stereotypes, widen social divides, and weaken trust between citizens and government institutions. Idris emphasized the need to separate criminal acts from group identities to prevent collective blame and marginalization.
Experts at the event, including Kabir Adamu, Managing Director of Beacon Security and Intelligence, and retired Brigadier-General Saleh Bala, also cautioned against identity-focused and biased language. They observed that such rhetoric can isolate communities, fuel hate narratives, and undermine efforts to build cooperation between security agencies and local populations.
The discussions underline a growing recognition that national security is as much about social cohesion and trust as it is about operational capacity. By ensuring that communication is careful, accurate, and free from ethnic bias, the government and security agencies aim to strengthen collaboration with communities and enhance overall security outcomes.
