Malnutrition, drug abuse fueling insecurity, NUJ warns
***IPI advocates dialogue to resolve media, government disputes
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Friday identified malnutrition, drug abuse and the unchecked influx of foreigners to Nigeria’s media space as emerging factors fueling insecurity in Nigeria.
The NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi, stated this at the two-day National Security Summit organised by the NUJ in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja.
The summit, themed “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building,” brought together media professionals, security experts and former military spokespersons to examine ways of strengthening cooperation between journalists and security agencies in tackling Nigeria’s security challenges.
Former Presidents of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo, Abdulwaheed Odusile and Lanre Ogundipe, as well as former leaders of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and the current National Chairperson of NAWOJ, Hajiya Aisha Ibrahim Kwaya-Bura, were among dignitaries present at the summit.
Abdullahi said journalists must continue to prioritise issues of national security and national development in their reporting, stressing that the media has a responsibility to contribute to efforts aimed at safeguarding the country.
He expressed concern over the influx of foreigners into Nigeria’s media space, describing it as an issue that requires deliberate policy actions and closer scrutiny. According to him, the development has implications for national security and should not be ignored.
The NUJ president also linked insecurity to worsening malnutrition, noting that the issue is often overlooked despite its far-reaching consequences.
He said malnutrition contributes to poor physical and cognitive development among children and ultimately affects societal stability and productivity.
“Many people may wonder why we are talking about malnutrition at a security summit, but malnutrition is a serious problem and Nigeria is among the countries most affected globally. Children who suffer from malnutrition often experience stunted growth and reduced intellectual development, which has implications for the future of society,” he said.
Abdullahi identified drug abuse as another major threat to national security, citing alarming statistics presented during the summit.
He said available data showed that drug addiction was becoming increasingly prevalent among young Nigerians and called for drastic measures to curb the trend.
“The figures are alarming and worrisome. We heard presentations showing the growing scale of drug abuse in the country. This should be a matter of serious concern for all of us because of its implications for crime and insecurity,” he added.
He stressed that collaboration between journalists and security agencies was no longer optional, urging both parties to work together to change prevailing security narratives and promote national cohesion.
In his presentation, President of the International Press Institute (IPI), Musikilu Mojeed, advocated dialogue and institutional remedies as the best approach for resolving disputes between government agencies and the media.
Mojeed cited instances where disagreements between security agencies and media organisations were resolved through engagement rather than coercion.
He referenced a report alleging that the DSS had raided the Lagos State House of Assembly, noting that the agency subsequently clarified that it was invited to protect lives and property and sought corrections from the affected media organisations.
According to him, the significance of such cases lies in the fact that disputes were settled without arrests, harassment or intimidation, demonstrating that many conflicts between the media and government agencies can be resolved amicably through dialogue and corrective measures.
He argued that while security agencies are responsible for protecting the nation, the media’s role is to inform the public, adding that disagreements between both institutions are inevitable but should be managed through regular engagement.
“The challenge is not to eliminate disagreements but to develop mechanisms that reduce misunderstanding. One way of achieving this is through regular dialogue, not only during periods of crisis when positions have already hardened,” he said.
Mojeed recommended the establishment of structured engagement platforms between media organisations and security institutions and urged government agencies to address concerns arising from media reports through established complaint channels and judicial processes where necessary.
Speaking, Former Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade (rtd.), reinforced the importance of dialogue by recounting an incident involving the military’s search of newspaper distribution vehicles during a period of heightened security tension.
Olukolade explained that intelligence reports at the time suggested that terrorists might exploit newspaper delivery channels to transport weapons and other dangerous materials across the country.
According to him, security authorities faced a difficult decision between conducting immediate checks or risking a potential security breach.
“The intention was never to seize newspapers. The intention was to search the vehicles carrying them because of intelligence received. Naturally, the searches caused delays and generated public concern,” he said.
He noted that although the operation attracted criticism, the situation was quickly resolved through consultations and behind-the-scenes dialogue between security authorities and media stakeholders.
Olukolade said the incident lasted only a day because both sides chose engagement over confrontation, describing the outcome as evidence that communication remains the most effective means of resolving disputes between the media and security agencies.
Also speaking, former Director of Naval Information, Commodore Kabir Aliyu (rtd.), said security agencies must regard the media as strategic partners rather than adversaries.
Drawing from historical military experiences and international examples, Aliyu noted that military leaders across the world have long recognised the influence of the media in shaping public perception and supporting national objectives.
He recalled statements by military commanders and defence leaders who described the media as “force multipliers,” arguing that military operations often depend on effective communication and public understanding.
According to him, former Nigerian military leaders had consistently emphasised the importance of carrying the media along, warning that excluding journalists from national conversations could undermine security efforts.
“The media are not enemies of government or security agencies. They are partners. What is important is for security institutions to communicate with them and explain issues that have national security implications,” he said.
On his part, former NUJ President, Chris Isiguzo, urged journalists to exercise caution in reporting security-related issues, warning against giving undue prominence to information that could undermine national security.
He noted that journalists must be circumspect in their reportage, stressing that terrorist groups often exploit information disseminated through the media to advance their operations and objectives.
