Take Terrorists Off Front Pages, FG Tells Nigerian Media Outlets

Minister Mohammed Idris calls for responsible journalism at NUJ-DSS National Security Summit in Abuja

ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government has appealed to Nigerian media organisations to stop giving prominent coverage to terrorists, bandits and other criminal groups, warning that such publicity inadvertently amplifies their activities and undermines national security efforts.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the appeal on Thursday during a two-day National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (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 practitioners, security officials and communication experts to discuss the role of journalism in strengthening national security.

Idris said while the administration of President Bola Tinubu remains committed to press freedom, journalists must exercise responsibility in reporting security-related issues. “Yes, we have to do our work; we have to report whatever happens, but you must know that the best reporter, the best editor, is the one who knows what not to report in the interest of nation-building,” he stated. The minister urged editors to reduce the prominence given to reports of attacks and criminal activities, arguing that terrorists often seek publicity through media coverage. “Please, take these terrorists and criminals off your front pages. This is what they crave, free of charge. It saddens me when I see our front pages reporting the activities of these criminals while underplaying the achievements of our security agencies,” he added.

According to Idris, a secure and peaceful nation is essential for the survival and growth of the media industry. He called on journalists to highlight the sacrifices and successes of security personnel who continue to risk their lives to protect the country. “We must have a Nigeria to report first before we can even have a union or any other media organisation. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that this nation survives,” he said.

The minister noted that Nigeria continues to face complex security threats, including terrorism, banditry, cybercrime, organised crime, misinformation and separatist agitations, all of which require coordinated responses. He stated that sustained operations have weakened terrorist networks in the North-East, while intensified efforts against banditry and kidnapping in the North-West and North-Central have produced positive results. According to him, the government has invested in modern equipment, surveillance systems, intelligence infrastructure and capacity building to enhance the effectiveness of security operations. Beyond military measures, the administration is addressing underlying causes of insecurity through economic reforms, youth empowerment initiatives, infrastructure development, education and social intervention programmes.

On education, Idris said more than 1.3 million Nigerian students have benefited from the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) , which was introduced to ensure that financial difficulties do not prevent young Nigerians from accessing higher education. Reports indicate that over ₦161.97 billion has been disbursed in 2026, including ₦89.94 billion paid directly to public tertiary institutions and ₦72.03 billion transferred into students’ bank accounts as monthly upkeep stipends. He further disclosed that the government is working on improved welfare packages for media professionals to enhance their productivity and well-being.

The minister commended the media industry’s support for the country’s digital broadcasting transition, describing the recent launch of the Digital Switch Over (DSO) as a major milestone achieved through collaboration between government and stakeholders. The platform was officially launched on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the NIGCOMSAT headquarters in Abuja, marking a significant step in the modernisation of Nigeria’s broadcasting industry after over a decade of lapsed deadlines. The initiative is projected to serve about 40 million households and generate more than N600 billion in economic value. Idris described the DSO as part of a broader national effort to build a more connected and competitive Nigeria, noting that the government is pursuing a hybrid broadcasting model combining Digital Terrestrial Television, Direct-to-Home satellite delivery, and digital application-based platforms.

In his remarks, NUJ National President Alhassan Yahya said the summit was designed to strengthen cooperation between journalists and security agencies in the interest of democracy and national development. Yahya praised the leadership of the DSS, stating that relations between the agency and the media have improved significantly in recent years. “It may interest you to know that in the last one and a half years, there has been no record of intimidation or harassment by state services in this country,” he said.

Also speaking, President and Chairman of Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) , Dr Ike Neliaku, described the media and security institutions as critical pillars of Nigeria’s democracy. Neliaku announced that Nigeria had secured the hosting rights for the World Public Relations Forum scheduled for November 2026, marking the first time the event will be hosted in Sub-Saharan Africa. The forum is expected to bring communication professionals from 126 countries to Nigeria.

Meanwhile, President of the Nigeria Chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI) , Musikilu Mojeed, stressed that national security and press freedom should not be viewed as competing interests. According to him, democratic societies require both values to thrive, warning that security without accountability could encourage abuse, while freedom without security cannot be sustained. “National security and press freedom are not opposing goals; they are mutually reinforcing pillars of democratic governance,” Mojeed said. He noted that tensions between journalists and security agencies are inevitable because both institutions pursue different objectives, but argued that the task of democratic institutions is not to eliminate such tension but to manage it responsibly through dialogue, professional accountability structures and judicial processes.

The summit was attended by representatives of major security agencies, senior media executives, former NUJ presidents and public relations practitioners from across the country.

Take Terrorists Off Front Pages, FG Tells Nigerian Media Outlets

Ex-INEC Chairman Yakubu Officially Assumes Office as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Qatar

Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has officially assumed office as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Qatar, marking the beginning of his diplomatic service in the Gulf state.

Yakubu arrived in Doha, the capital of Qatar, where he was formally received by senior officials of the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African diplomats based in the country, and members of the Nigerian community.

At Hamad International Airport, he was welcomed by Ambassador Ibrahim Abdullah Fakhro, Director of the Protocol Department at Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in line with standard diplomatic reception procedures for newly arrived envoys.

His arrival attracted notable diplomatic attention, with about 13 African ambassadors and heads of mission present in Doha to receive him, reflecting his standing within Africa’s diplomatic community.

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The reception was led by Ambassador Thierno Sow of Guinea, who serves as President of the Bureau of the African Group of Ambassadors to Qatar. Diplomats from countries including Algeria, Burundi, Morocco, Tanzania, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Senegal, Togo, Benin, and the Central African Republic were also present.

Other dignitaries at the reception included the Secretary-General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, alongside leaders of the Nigerian diaspora community in Qatar, including the President of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation in Qatar, Michael Ihekwaba.

Yakubu exchanged greetings with several diplomats during the reception, including envoys from Mali, Senegal, and Tanzania, before proceeding to the Nigerian Embassy in Doha.

At the embassy, he met with diplomatic staff and officials as part of formal procedures marking his assumption of duties as Nigeria’s envoy to Qatar.

His appointment comes after years of service as INEC Chairman, where he oversaw major electoral cycles in Nigeria. He is now expected to focus on strengthening Nigeria–Qatar diplomatic relations, including cooperation in governance, trade, investment, and diaspora engagement.

Ex-INEC Chairman Yakubu Officially Assumes Office as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Qatar

NGF, Attorneys-General Hold Consultations on State Police Implementation

• Nigeria Governors’ Forum holds second meeting of 2026, reviews state police proposals amid historic National Assembly passage of constitutional amendment bill

ABUJA, Nigeria – Governors of Nigeria’s 36 states have intensified their push for the establishment of state police, opening fresh consultations with state Attorneys-General to shape the legal and constitutional framework for its implementation as the National Assembly advances a historic constitutional amendment bill.

The development was made public on Thursday after the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) held its second meeting of 2026 in Abuja. The meeting, chaired by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, stretched from Wednesday into the early hours of Thursday. Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, who addressed journalists after the meeting on behalf of the Forum, said the discussions centered on ensuring that any structure for state police must have strong constitutional backing and must fit into Nigeria’s federal system.

According to Abiodun, governors are united on the need to push the proposal forward but insist that the legal foundation must be clear to prevent abuse and protect the rights of Nigerians. The forum is working closely with state legal officers to fine-tune areas of concern before a final position is presented. “The forum received a presentation from the NGF Secretariat and a delegation of the Honourable Attorneys-General of the states on efforts to support establishing state police in Nigeria. It noted a dedicated consultation with the Attorneys-General to review the proposed constitutional amendments and frameworks. Governors emphasised the need for the state police to be constitutionally sound and aligned with federalism and citizens’ rights. The forum noted the collaborative effort and added that the consultation outcomes would strengthen the states’ collective position,” Abiodun stated.

The renewed call for state police comes amid persistent insecurity across several parts of Nigeria, including banditry, kidnapping, insurgency, and communal violence, which have continued to stretch the operational capacity of the centrally controlled police system. For over two decades, Nigeria has faced severe insecurity driven by Boko Haram, armed bandits, and other criminal groups, resulting in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions. Although the Federal Government and security agencies have recorded some successes, the threat persists, and supporters argue that state governments, being closer to the people, are better positioned to respond quickly to threats and gather intelligence.

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The push for state policing gained significant momentum at the National Assembly earlier this month. On June 10, the House of Representatives passed a constitutional amendment bill seeking to legalise state police, with 289 lawmakers voting in favour, one abstaining, and none voting against — demonstrating overwhelming bipartisan support. The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for the Establishment of State Police and for Related Matters (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026,” was approved during plenary presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. The House also approved 18 constitutional amendment clauses as part of the broader constitutional review exercise aimed at reforming critical aspects of governance and public administration. The Senate followed suit on June 11, passing the bill for second reading and referring it to its Committee on Constitution Review for further legislative consideration. The development marks one of the most significant constitutional and security reforms undertaken by the National Assembly since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 and comes amid growing concerns over rising insecurity across the country.

A central feature of the state police bill is the proposed amendment of Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution to formally establish both Federal Police and State Police formations. Under the proposed framework, the National Assembly would retain authority to prescribe the structure, organisation, administration, and powers of the Federal Police while also setting minimum standards and legal requirements for the establishment and operation of state police services nationwide. The bill stipulates that no state police formation can commence operations unless it is created through legislation enacted by the relevant State House of Assembly and certified as meeting nationally prescribed minimum standards. It further provides that until any state police force becomes operational, the Federal Police shall continue to exercise policing responsibilities within that state. In what appears to be an attempt to balance decentralisation with national oversight, the bill limits the circumstances under which the Federal Police may intervene in the affairs of state police formations. According to the proposal, federal intervention would only occur in situations involving a complete breakdown of law and order, upon the request of a state governor, or where a state police force becomes unable to function due to administrative, financial, or operational challenges.

The amendment also introduces significant reforms to the police command structure and appointment process. Under the proposed changes to Section 215 of the Constitution, the Inspector-General of Police would be appointed by the President based on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council and subject to confirmation by the National Assembly. Similarly, State Commissioners of Police would be appointed by governors on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council from among serving officers of the respective state police formations and confirmed by their State Houses of Assembly. The bill empowers governors to issue lawful directives to State Commissioners of Police on matters relating to public safety and maintenance of law and order. However, where a commissioner believes such directives are unlawful or inconsistent with established policing standards, the matter may be referred to the Nigeria Police Council, whose decision would be final. The legislation also amends Section 84 of the Constitution by replacing references to the “National Police Council and the Federal Police Service Commission” with the “Nigeria Police Council and the Police Service Commission.”

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To address concerns that state police could be abused by state governments for political purposes, particularly during elections and periods of political tension, sponsors of the bill have incorporated several safeguards into the proposed framework. These include mandatory confirmation of appointments by State Houses of Assembly, oversight by the Nigeria Police Council, and provisions allowing State Commissioners of Police to report alleged unlawful directives from governors to oversight bodies for review. The bill also establishes State Police Service Commissions in each state, composed of members from the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigerian Labour Congress, the Public Complaints Commission, retired police officers, and journalists. The bill will now proceed through the constitutional amendment process, requiring concurrence by the Senate and approval by at least two-thirds of the Houses of Assembly of the states before it can be transmitted for presidential assent. If eventually enacted, the legislation would usher in a new era of multi-layered policing in Nigeria and could redefine the country’s approach to tackling banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and other forms of violent crimes through a more localised security architecture.

Beyond security, governors also discussed national nutrition challenges during the meeting. Abiodun said the forum reviewed progress under the National Nutrition 774 Initiative and restated commitment to reducing child malnutrition across Nigeria. “The forum received a presentation from the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning on progress under the National Nutrition 774 Initiative. The forum reaffirmed the governors’ commitment to improving nutrition outcomes and reducing child malnutrition across Nigeria.” He added that governors called for stronger engagement among stakeholders to improve nutrition laws and policies, while noting ongoing progress on the National Nutrition Bill. The meeting also featured a presentation from the World Bank on its proposed Country Partnership Framework for Nigeria between 2026 and 2032. Governors said the framework would support agriculture, improve food security, strengthen value chains, and boost private sector participation. Abiodun said states would continue to partner with the Federal Government and development agencies to ensure effective delivery of the projects. On electricity, the forum reviewed plans under the National Solar Super-Grid Initiative aimed at widening access to power through solar energy. Governors said the initiative could improve electricity supply, support industrial growth, and strengthen state-level energy markets. “The forum noted the initiative’s potential to support industrialisation, improve energy security, strengthen state electricity markets, and accelerate economic growth.” They also reaffirmed their support for ongoing reforms in the power sector, stressing the need for affordable and stable electricity across Nigeria.

NGF, Attorneys-General Hold Consultations on State Police Implementation