Security chiefs from across Nigeria have condemned the rising tide of ethnic scapegoating in the country, calling on the federal government to take immediate steps to restore peace. The declaration came during a high-level meeting organised with support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's SPRiNG programme. Traditional rulers and security leaders from various regions stressed the need for unity, warning that divisive rhetoric threatens national stability. They cited recent communal tensions and inflammatory public statements as growing concerns.
The chiefs urged the government to enforce accountability for those spreading hate speech, particularly public figures exploiting ethnic lines. "We cannot allow a few voices to paint entire groups as enemies," said Oba Adeyemi Alao, one of the traditional leaders present. The meeting, held in Abuja, included representatives from the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Services, and regional security councils. They agreed on a joint framework to monitor and counter narratives that deepen ethnic divisions.
The fact that security chiefs feel compelled to publicly rebuke ethnic scapegoating signals a dangerous normalisation of divisive rhetoric in public discourse. With Oba Adeyemi Alao and other high-ranking figures sounding the alarm, it is clear that unchecked hate speech is no longer just a social issue but a national security concern. For Nigerians, this means the erosion of trust between communities is now officially on the state's radar — and demands a response beyond symbolism.
