The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has raised concerns over what it described as exaggerated and misleading media narratives surrounding the counter-terrorism efforts of the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), particularly in the wake of a recent security incident in Kwara State.

In a statement issued on Friday by its National Coordinator, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, the group said some media reports—allegedly driven by political interests—have misrepresented facts and risk inflaming tensions in an already fragile national security environment.

The CNG noted that the involvement of civilian forces in support of military operations is not new to Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy, tracing the practice to the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan and its institutionalisation under the late President Muhammadu Buhari with the establishment of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in Borno State.

“These civilian outfits have proven invaluable, as they comprise local indigenes with intimate knowledge of their communities and terrains,” Charanchi said. “Their contributions have been pivotal in reclaiming territories and restoring a measure of peace to areas devastated by violence.”

However, the group decried what it called a troubling trend of sensationalist reporting by certain media outlets, particularly in southern Nigeria, alleging that such narratives exaggerate realities on the ground and ignore the complexity of security operations.

“Rather than promoting nuanced understanding, these reports fan the flames of discontent and deepen existing divisions among Nigerians,” the statement said.

The CNG stressed the critical role of the media in shaping public perception but warned that irresponsible reporting on security issues undermines collective efforts to safeguard the country.

While acknowledging the media’s right to scrutinise government actions, the group insisted that criticism must be rooted in factual accuracy and ethical standards, lamenting what it described as an apparent anti-government bias in segments of the media.

The group highlighted the role of civilian Joint Task Force operatives in Borno State, noting that their temporary access to arms during operations and subsequent disarmament underscore effective collaboration between civilian volunteers and security agencies. It recalled instances during past administrations when such partnerships proved decisive in counter-insurgency efforts.

CNG warned that current political manoeuvres risk reviving tactics used in the past to destabilise governments by fuelling inter-agency rivalry within the security architecture, thereby weakening the fight against insecurity.

The group urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remain vigilant against politically motivated schemes capable of undermining coordination among security agencies, drawing lessons from previous administrations where rivalry hampered national security efforts.

It also called on media proprietors and professional bodies—including the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigerian Guild of Editors and the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN)—to strengthen self-regulation and enforce ethical standards in security reporting.

“The dissemination of security-related news must be handled with utmost care, given its far-reaching implications for national cohesion and public safety,” the statement said.

The CNG further urged the Federal Government to engage media operators to promote balanced and responsible reporting, warning that sensationalism driven by the quest for higher readership or viewership could endanger national unity.

“The media must inform rather than inflame, educate rather than divide,” the group said, adding that a collaborative and responsible media environment is essential to building a safer, more harmonious Nigeria.