The federal government has cautioned the media and the public against using careless language in discussions about security, warning that vague or loaded terms can deepen societal divisions. Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris issued the statement in Abuja on Wednesday during a two-day conference titled "Contextualising Definitions and Terminologies to Address Stereotyping and Ethnic Profiling in Discourses and Security Operations in West Africa". The event was co-hosted by BEACON Security and Intelligence Limited and the Whiteink Institute for Strategic Education and Research (WISER), with support from UK International Development, SPRING, and the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR). Idris, represented by NPC Executive Secretary Dili Ezughah, stressed that labels used in security operations and media reporting influence public perception and can either build trust or fuel marginalisation. He cited Nigeria's diversity—home to hundreds of ethnic groups and multiple religious traditions—as a context where responsible communication is critical.
Idris emphasized that security involves more than enforcement, requiring public trust and partnership with citizens. He pointed to ongoing threats like terrorism and organised crime, and affirmed the government's efforts to strengthen security systems. The minister called for precision in language, clarity between criminal acts and identity, and responsible media reporting. Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, national coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), noted that terminology in security discourse carries consequences, stating, "Responsible terminology is therefore an operational necessity that directly impacts trust and legitimacy." He advocated for prevention and inclusive communication alongside military measures. IPCR Director-General Joseph Ochogwu urged investment in local conflict resolution actors, saying, "Conflict is local, violence is local, so also peace is local."
Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff, represented by Maj.-Gen. Umaru Yusuf, encouraged strategic dialogue to improve peacebuilding. British High Commissioner Richard Montgomery, represented by Ukoha Ukiwo, and WISER founder retired Brig.-Gen. Saleh Bala also spoke, with Bala warning that labels tied to crimes or ethnic groups can breed stereotypes and escalate conflict.
Mohammed Idris is asking for careful language while operating within a government that often fails to model it. When officials routinely blame "certain regions" or "specific tribes" in security briefings, no conference can undo the damage already embedded in public perception. This push for responsible terminology rings hollow without accountability for past rhetoric that fueled profiling. Words from Abuja conferences don't shift ground realities when actions on the ground tell a different story.
