Why We Must Win the Media Battle Against Terrorism By Abdullahi O Haruna Haruspice
By all indications, Sunday, the 12th of April, 2026, was yet another grim reminder of Nigeria’s fragile security landscape. The media space was inundated with disturbing reports of a deadly explosion that reportedly claimed over 50 civilian lives at the Borno–Yobe border region. Headlines such as “NAF airstrike hits Borno-Yobe border market, several injured” and “Over 50 killed in ‘accidental bombing’ at Borno-Yobe border market” dominated news platforms, painting a tragic picture of loss and confusion.
However, a careful reading of these reports raises concerns about consistency, verification, and professional framing. According to multiple accounts, the fighter jet involved was allegedly tracking suspected insurgents believed to have entered the market to collect levies and procure supplies. The strike, however, reportedly missed its intended target, resulting in civilian casualties.
While no one disputes the devastating loss of innocent lives, what is troubling is the near-uniform narrative across media outlets, which inadvertently amplifies insurgent activities while undermining the efforts of Nigeria’s security agencies. It raises an important question: why does the Nigerian media often appear quick to highlight the “success” of insurgents while downplaying or poorly contextualising the operational challenges of security forces?
Even more concerning is the reliance on assumptions rather than verified official confirmation. While reports consistently attribute the bombing to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), there appears to be no clear, publicly verified statement from the Air Force confirming the origin of the strike at the time of publication. This gap raises a fundamental journalistic concern: how do media organisations arrive at definitive conclusions without authoritative confirmation? Journalism, at its core, is not a practice of speculation or assumption; it is a discipline rooted in verification, balance, and responsibility.
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This pattern points to a deeper issue within conflict reporting in Nigeria. In the media space today, there is the tendency to adopt sensational or unverified framings that may unintentionally serve the propaganda interests of non-state violent actors. While media should not be sanctioned or controlled the manner in which they carry their narrative, journalists and information managers need to be properly educated that in asymmetric warfare, narrative is power. Every headline, every phrasing, every photograph and every attribution has implications for public perception, troop morale, and national confidence.
If indeed insurgent sympathisers have found space within sections of the information ecosystem, then it becomes even more urgent for the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to strengthen its strategic communication architecture. This is not merely about issuing press statements after incidents occur; it is about proactively shaping narratives, countering misinformation, and ensuring that state responses are clearly, consistently, and credibly communicated. This can only be possible with media and communication experts who consider media warfare as a science of control, rather than an art of writing beautifully crafted stories that merely edify the mind instead of shaping it.
The fight against terrorism is not won solely on the battlefield. It is equally won or lost in the media space. Modern security operations demand a dual strategy: kinetic force on the ground and coordinated information management in the public sphere. Beyond bombs and bullets lies the battle for perception, legitimacy, and public trust.
Nigeria must therefore invest in a more structured media engagement framework within its security architecture by bringing together professional communication experts, security analysts, and media practitioners to ensure that control of narratives is not in the hands of those who do not want the nation to succeed in the current war against insurgency, but in the hands of those who understand that media is power, and that how it is used will determine how the war is fought and won. While the accurate, timely, and responsible dissemination of sensitive information is important, who controls the narrative is crucial.
Ultimately, winning the war against terrorism requires more than tactical victories. It demands strategic dominance in the information space. And for the NSA the Defence Headquarters and other stakeholders, that battle is just as critical as any operation in the field.
Frankly musing
My name is Abdullahi O Haruna Haruspice,an unapologetic Patriot.
