Media Portrays Nigeria As Consumed By Insecurity, Ignores Security Gains — Onanuga

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday accused sections of the Nigerian media of creating a distorted perception of the country’s security situation by focusing largely on violent incidents while overlooking successes recorded by security agencies.

Speaking during an appearance on Arise Television, Onanuga said some media reports portray insecurity “as if the whole country is consumed with insecurity,” insisting that such narratives fail to reflect progress made in tackling terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities.

“There are security breaches and no one is disputing that, but some reports present the situation as if the whole country is consumed with insecurity,” Onanuga said.

The presidential aide argued that while security challenges remain in parts of the country, the Tinubu administration has continued to invest heavily in security operations, intelligence gathering and military interventions aimed at restoring peace and protecting lives and property.

According to him, media reports often fail to acknowledge gains recorded by security agencies in the fight against criminality.

“We have challenges, but there are also areas where security agencies have recorded significant successes that deserve attention,” he said.

Onanuga maintained that the perception that insecurity is worsening nationwide does not fully capture developments across the country, noting that security forces have continued to degrade the capacity of criminal groups operating in several regions.

He urged journalists and media organisations to ensure balance and accuracy in their reporting.

“The media should report the challenges, but it should also report the achievements. Balanced reporting helps the public to have a fair understanding of the situatio

The presidential spokesman stressed that responsible journalism plays a critical role in promoting national cohesion and public confidence, warning that exaggerated or one-sided reports could undermine ongoing efforts to address security concerns.

“We must be careful not to create unnecessary panic through narratives that do not reflect the complete picture,” he added.

Onanuga reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening security institutions and supporting measures aimed at ending terrorism, banditry and other forms of violent crime.

He expressed confidence that ongoing security operations would continue to yield positive results, insisting that the government remains focused on protecting lives and property across the country.

His comments come amid continuing public debate over the state of security in Nigeria, with concerns being raised in some quarters over incidents of terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and communal violence in different regions.