Words That Wound: Security Experts Warn Nigeria Against Dangerous Ethnic Profiling
In a region already strained by insecurity, experts are now sounding the alarm that the language used to describe threats may be fuelling the very divisions authorities are trying to contain.
Security leaders, policymakers and civil society actors have concluded a landmark conference in Abuja, warning that ethnic profiling and careless narratives in security discourse risk deepening mistrust and undermining national unity.
The two-day high-level meeting, convened by Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited (BSIL) in partnership with the Whiteink Institute for Strategy Education and Research (WISER), focused on how harmful labelling and stereotypes can distort public perception and weaken effective responses to insecurity across West Africa.
Speaking at the close of the conference, WISER President, Brigadier General Saleh Bala (rtd), and BSIL Managing Director, Dr Kabir Adamu, stressed that equating cultural identities with security threats is both dangerous and counterproductive.
They noted that “flawed narratives and lazy categorisations” often worsen tensions instead of promoting understanding.
Deliberations highlighted how language shapes trust, influences policy, and affects operational outcomes, with participants urging a shift towards more accurate and context-driven communication.
The conference also examined the media’s role in shaping conflict narratives and the legal implications of terminology used in security reporting.
A key outcome of the gathering is the development of an anti-ethnic stereotyping toolkit and a national policy brief, designed to guide security agencies, journalists, and policymakers towards more responsible communication.
Experts say these tools could redefine how Nigeria approaches security messaging, placing dignity, inclusion, and trust at the centre of its strategy.
As the country moves closer to the 2027 elections, stakeholders are now urging government and regional bodies to adopt these recommendations, warning that failure to do so could deepen divisions at a critical time.
Follow the Savinews Africa channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VawgaEL5vKA9Y5XTFg0n
