Counterterrorism Boss urges responsible media reporting, reaffirms fight against terrorism
By: Zagazola Makama
The National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) has renewed its call on Nigerian media practitioners to exercise restraint and responsibility in reporting sensitive security issues, stressing that premature disclosure of operational details could undermine national security efforts and endanger lives.
The National Coordinator of the NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during the Centre’s End-of-Year Media Briefing, an engagement aimed at strengthening collaboration between security agencies and the media in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism campaign.
Laka commended journalists for their professionalism, resilience and commitment to informing the public despite operating in a complex and often dangerous security environment.
“Your reporting has amplified national counter-terrorism narratives, shaped public understanding of complex security realities, and reinforced confidence in the government’s resolve to confront terrorism, violent extremism and other threats,” he said.
He, however, cautioned against the premature publication of sensitive information relating to ongoing military operations, intelligence activities and investigations, warning that such disclosures could compromise missions, expose security personnel and civilians to danger, and inadvertently provide tactical advantage to terrorists and violent extremists.
According to him, press freedom and national security should not be viewed as opposing principles but as complementary pillars essential to the survival of a stable and democratic society.
“Responsible journalism strengthens national security, just as effective security guarantees the freedom within which the media operates,” Laka noted.
The NCTC Coordinator also highlighted the Federal Government’s recent formal classification of bandits, armed non-state actors and organised criminal gangs as terrorists, describing the move as a watershed in Nigeria’s security policy and legal framework.
He said intelligence assessments had revealed increasing convergence between bandit groups and insurgent elements, including operational cooperation, shared weaponry and overlapping supply chains, developments that necessitate a unified and coordinated counter-terrorism response.
Looking ahead to 2026, Laka warned that terrorist and bandit groups were continuously adapting their tactics, exploiting technology and vulnerable communities, and leveraging information space to advance their narratives.
He stressed the need for strategic communication, public awareness and national cohesion to counter extremist propaganda and misinformation.
Laka further disclosed that the NCTC and other security agencies were intensifying efforts to track and monitor the use of social media platforms and mobile communication devices by terrorists and their collaborators.
According to him, many perpetrators and facilitators had been apprehended through digital forensics and intelligence-led operations.
He reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to sustained engagement with the media, noting that accurate and responsible reporting remained critical to winning public trust and sustaining momentum in the fight against terrorism.
The coordinator expressed appreciation to media partners for their cooperation and professionalism throughout the year, describing them as key stakeholders in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism architecture.
