Nigeria’s government has called on journalists and social media influencers to stop giving oxygen to armed gangs and militants by denying them the public attention they seek.

The country’s Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, appealed on Monday at a media summit in the northern city of Kano, arguing that the press plays an indispensable role in countering violent extremism.

Nigeria has been battling a complex security crisis for over a decade, driven by Islamist insurgents in the north-east and heavily armed criminal gangs—locally known as bandits—who carry out mass abductions for ransom across the north-west.

Security analysts have long warned that these armed groups frequently use social media and press coverage to amplify terror, issue demands, and project power.

The Power of the Smartphone

Addressing the gathering of journalists, digital creators, and policymakers, Mr Idris noted that while the digital revolution has democratised information, it has also brought significant dangers.

“The media has an indispensable role in denying violent extremists the publicity they seek while promoting unity, resilience and hope,” Mr Idris said.

He warned that smartphones have effectively turned every citizen into a broadcaster, inadvertently accelerating the spread of fake news, disinformation, and propaganda that threaten national security.

Social Media in Focus

The call for restraint comes as political activities begin to intensify ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

Presidential media aide Abdulaziz Abdulaziz told the summit that digital influencers who command large online audiences have a responsibility to verify information before posting, urging them to avoid content that could fracture the country along ethnic or religious lines.

Officials at the summit also disclosed that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had recently trained more than 100 of its online communicators to focus on promoting state-backed infrastructure projects rather than divisive political rhetoric.

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf opened the event by urging other regions to invest in youth communication schemes to bridge the gap between the government and the public, as authorities face ongoing pressure to restore economic stability and public safety.