The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser, has warned that irresponsible media reporting could undermine ongoing security operations and endanger lives, stressing that bandits, armed criminal gangs, and other violent non-state actors operating across the country are legally designated as terrorists.
The National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Major General Adamu Laka, made this known during the NCTC End-of-Year Media Parley in Abuja, a forum aimed at strengthening cooperation between security institutions and the media as Nigeria confronts evolving threats of terrorism, violent extremism, and organised crime.
According to the Coordinator, the President’s formal designation of bandits and similar armed groups as terrorists marked a decisive shift in Nigeria’s security policy.
“Bandits, armed criminal gangs and violent non-state actors are legally classified as terrorists under Nigerian law,” he said.
“This designation allows the state to deploy a more coordinated, forceful and unified response against terrorism, violent extremism and organised crime,” he stressed.
Major General Laka explained that under both Nigerian and international law, terrorism involves acts of serious violence intended to intimidate populations or coerce governments.
He noted that the activities of bandits, including mass kidnappings, village raids, killings, and territorial control have effects indistinguishable from ideologically driven terrorism.
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He recalled that bandit groups were formally proscribed as terrorist organisations following a Federal High Court order issued on 25 November 2021, providing a firm legal basis for intensified counter-terrorism actions.
The NCTC Coordinator further warned of an increasing convergence between insurgent groups and bandits, citing shared weapons, intelligence, and tactical cooperation. He said this overlap has blurred traditional distinctions and reinforced the need for a unified national counter-terrorism framework.
While commending Nigerian journalists for their professionalism and resilience, Laka cautioned against the premature publication of sensitive operational details, intelligence activities, and ongoing investigations, noting that such disclosures could compromise missions and aid adversaries who exploit open-source information.
“Our appeal is not for silence, but for responsibility,” he stated.
“National security and press freedom are complementary pillars of democracy, not opposing forces,” he added.
He assured media practitioners of the Centre’s commitment to sustained engagement through regular briefings, background sessions, and structured information sharing to promote accurate, contextual reporting without undermining security objectives.
Looking ahead, Major General Laka said terrorism, violent extremism, and organised crime continue to evolve in tactics and sophistication, making strategic communication, intelligence fusion, public awareness, and national cohesion increasingly critical.
He described the media as a vital ally in denying criminals undue publicity while reinforcing public confidence in the state’s resolve and capacity.
He thanked journalists for their collaboration throughout the year and called for deeper partnership in the coming year, wishing Nigerians peaceful celebrations and a more secure and prosperous year ahead.