NUJ Summit: Security Chiefs Missed Important Conversations

Crisis communication teaches one hard truth: silence does not calm a crisis; it fuels it. When leaders do not engage, their silence is often seen as indifference. This was the feeling some participants had on the second day of the recent National Security Summit organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abuja. Senior security officials were nowhere to be found.

Were the security chiefs worried that journalists might ask tough questions about the ongoing claims linking illegal mining in bandit-prone areas to criminal financing? Did they feel uncomfortable discussing allegations that some retired and current security personnel are involved in the rising insecurity across the country?

Could they also have been afraid of being asked if Nigeria's democratic leaders and security heads have the political will and resources to tackle these huge challenges? There are claims that some major financiers and sponsors are known yet still untouchable.

And what about the rise in mass abductions and kidnappings in schools? These incidents are spreading beyond their usual areas, raising concerns about whether these attacks are planned for political reasons or to make money illegally.

While there may not be proof to back up such suspicions, insecurity thrives where there is a lack of transparency. The summit, themed “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building,” was meant to create understanding between the media and security services, which often have overlapping duties.

The first day was impressive. It brought together journalists, academics, communication experts, development partners, security personnel, and government officials. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Malam Mohammed Idris Malagi, was the highest-ranking official there, which added importance to the event. Talks focused on strategic communication, responsible journalism, national security, and the need for collaboration to tackle Nigeria's tough security issues.

But the second day, which was supposed to focus on national security matters, showed a different picture. The security chiefs who needed to be part of the discussions were missing. It was disappointing that many of them were not even represented.

Ironically, their presence could have greatly improved the discussions. The keynote speaker, Mr. Musikilu Mojeed, President of the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria, presented a thorough paper on the tricky relationship between the media and security bodies. He discussed various historical and current cases that showed the tensions and misunderstandings between journalists and security agencies.

During his talk, he mentioned the controversial 2014 incident when security operatives stopped newspaper distribution vehicles. This incident received heavy criticism from media groups and civil society.

What Mr. Mojeed might not have known was that one of the key figures from that time, former Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade (rtd), was quietly seated at the back of the hall with a former Director of Naval Information, Commodore Kabir Aliyu (rtd). I was lucky to sit next to them as the presentation went on.

General Olukolade, now the Chairman of the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), does not often discuss old controversies. He usually avoids talking about military operations and sensitive decisions from the past. But this time, he felt he had to clarify some points.

When he took the microphone, he explained that during Goodluck Jonathan's administration, security agencies were dealing with new terrorist tactics. There were intelligence reports suggesting that insurgents were finding unusual ways to move weapons and supplies across the country.

More importantly, he revealed something many critics might not have known: the security command later admitted public concerns about the incident and apologized. He said lessons were learned and measures were put in place to make sure such actions would not happen again. He added, 'dialogue often achieves what assumptions cannot.'

To my surprise, I was also invited to speak during the discussion on media-security relations. I kept my comments modest. Instead of focusing on disagreements, I highlighted examples of good cooperation between journalists and security agencies through the Forum of Spokespersons of Security and Response Agencies (FOSSRA). This initiative was once led by General Olukolade and later by the late Major General Abubakar Rabe.

I recalled the professionalism of editors who prioritized national interest over sensational headlines. One example involved a senior editor of ThisDay Newspaper, Ms. Ijeoma Nwogwugwu. In June 2013, she received a late-night request from military authorities about a specific word in a report on insurgency operations. They feared that publishing certain details could jeopardize an ongoing mission. After considering the implications, the newspaper agreed to the change. The operation was later deemed successful.

I also remembered my May 2014 visit to Premium Times’ headquarters after a report about an alleged mutiny by soldiers in Borno State. At that time, I urged the newspaper’s leadership to change the word 'mutiny' to 'protest' due to the serious legal consequences of mutiny under military law. The then Managing Editor, Musikilu Mojeed, listened carefully and showed understanding, but the story had already gained traction elsewhere. Eventually, some of the soldiers involved were convicted of mutiny.

Similarly, I shared how Mallam Hamza Idris, then Daily Trust Bureau Chief in Borno in February 2015, filed what seemed like a normal report. Security officials later said that the unpublished story, while harmless on the surface, could unintentionally reveal troop movements and plans. After considering the potential fallout, the editorial team of Weekend Daily Trust dropped what was supposed to be a front-page lead for national security’s sake.

That same year, two Nigerian journalists working for foreign media were briefly detained in a Borno hotel. This was done purely for their safety, though it was widely misunderstood. During major anti-insurgency operations, senior media executives were regularly briefed. Despite critics of Sahara Reporters’ style, its publisher, Omoyele Sowore, often showed real concern for national security. The then NGE President, Femi Adesina, and the Dean of Bureau Chiefs, Yusuf Alli, can confirm the trust and confidentiality in those meetings.

The cooperation between the media and security agencies, supported by broader coordination through FOSSRA, helped reduce conflict and significantly aided in recovering many towns from terrorist control ahead of the 2015 election. Although FOSSRA was last chaired by General Rabe before being abandoned under the Buhari administration, its importance was clear. Recognizing this, NSA Malam Nuhu Ribadu pragmatically revived the mechanism with the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) as a technical partner. Sadly, that effort was later undermined by unprofessional insiders whose motives remain unclear.

These examples show that the relationship between the media and security agencies has not always been filled with hostility. There have been many instances of cooperation, understanding, and mutual respect.

That is why the absence of serving security chiefs on the second day of the summit was disappointing. The gathering was a rare chance for open discussions, building trust, and learning from each other. The communiqué issued at the end of the two-day summit, signed by NUJ President Comrade Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi, captured many concerns raised during the talks. Most importantly, participants agreed that national security and sustainable development rely on strong, open, and accountable partnerships among the media, security agencies, government institutions, and citizens.

It is hoped that next time an invitation is sent, they will accept it. This is especially true when the invitation comes from a respected ally whose partnership is essential for national security.