“Insecurity Cannot Be Fought Alone”: Security Expert Calls for Strategic Media Collaboration at KWASU Seminar

Security expert and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Officer S. J. Tiamiyu, alongside lead discussant Mr. Adeniji, urged press organizations to form a strategic partnership with law enforcement at Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, during an academic seminar hosted by the Department of Mass Communication’s Top-Up Conversion Program to effectively tackle Nigeria's escalating national threats by coordinating reporting efforts, practicing ethical journalism, and preventing information leaks. Addressing a gathering of students, scholars, and media practitioners, both speakers emphasized that mitigating internal conflict requires a multi-dimensional strategy where the press functions as a crucial partner in national stability rather than a distant critic.

Speaking on the seminar’s core topic, Challenges of Insecurity in Nigeria and the Role of the Media, Officer Tiamiyu stressed that no single security agency can eliminate contemporary threats in isolation. He noted that while law enforcement conducts tactical operations on the ground, the media holds immense power over public perception and operational security. Tiamiyu cautioned against sensationalized headline writing and premature news updates, warning that unverified broadcasts of tactical maneuvers can compromise active operations and jeopardize the safety of personnel on the front lines.

Focusing on the academic and professional obligations of journalists, Mr. Adeniji emphasized that mass communication training must directly adapt to real-world security dynamics. He urged media practitioners and digital content creators to act as rigorous gatekeepers against the spread of fake news and social media panic. Adeniji pointed out that exaggerated headlines, unverified leaks, and sensationalism only serve the propaganda goals of hostile actors, stressing that newsrooms have a fundamental duty to balance the public right to know with the imperative of safeguarding national peace and public order.

Both discussants emphasized that addressing Nigeria's security challenges requires stronger institutional collaboration and a commitment to peace-oriented journalism. They advocated for the establishment of structured communication channels between media organizations and official security spokespersons to facilitate timely, accurate, and verified information sharing while safeguarding sensitive operational details. They also urged media practitioners to embrace peace journalism by prioritizing investigative reporting, promoting community-based security awareness, and fostering constructive dialogue between citizens and security agencies, rather than inadvertently amplifying the narratives of extremist groups.

In their closing remarks, Officer Tiamiyu and Mr. Adeniji agreed that sustainable solutions to Nigeria's security challenges depend on a coordinated approach in which ethical journalism and effective law enforcement work hand in hand. The event concluded with the Department of Mass Communication, Kwara State University (KWASU), reaffirming its commitment to producing media professionals equipped to navigate the complex intersection of public interest and national security. The department maintained that responsible journalism remains indispensable to promoting peace, strengthening public trust, and supporting national development.