Stakeholders Urged to Strengthen Crisis Communication to Tackle Insecurity
By Shindong Bala, Kaduna
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s security sector have been urged to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and adopt effective crisis communication strategies to combat insecurity, misinformation and emerging cyber threats in the country.
Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), made the call at the Second National Crisis Communication Symposium in Kaduna, organised by the Centre for Crisis Communication, with the theme, “Inter-Agency Collaboration, Public Trust and Cyber Threat Management in Crisis Communication.”
The minister, represented by Major General A.K. Ibrahim, said effective communication had become a critical component of national security, public safety and the preservation of public trust, particularly in addressing terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime and other emergencies.
He noted that the effectiveness of security operations depended not only on the operational capabilities of security agencies but also on how promptly, accurately and consistently information was communicated to the public.
General Musa explained that delayed or contradictory official information often created room for rumours and misinformation, which could heighten public anxiety, undermine confidence in government institutions and complicate security operations.
He cited Nigeria’s expanding digital landscape as both an opportunity and a security challenge, stressing the need for institutions to strengthen their capacity to detect emerging cyber threats, verify information and counter false or manipulated content.
The minister called for improved information sharing among security and emergency response agencies, clear communication responsibilities and coordinated public messaging, while ensuring that operational security and sensitive information were protected.
He also commended the Centre for establishing the Crisis Communication Hub, an initiative designed to promote coordinated crisis information management and the use of digital innovation in emergency response.
He said the unveiling of the Nigerian Journal of Crisis Communication, the Centre’s inaugural publication, would provide policymakers, researchers and communication practitioners with practical insights and case studies to improve crisis preparedness and response.
In his remarks, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State said misinformation and cyber threats had become serious dangers to peaceful coexistence, democratic stability and public confidence in government.
The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mallam Ahmed Maiyaki, maintained that the battle for public trust was as important as the fight against insecurity.
He said misinformation could inflame ethnic and religious tensions, distort public understanding of security situations and weaken confidence in government and security institutions.
Governor Sani stressed that crisis communication must be deliberate, proactive, coordinated and inclusive to prevent emerging tensions from escalating into full-blown crises.
According to him, the state government has prioritised collaboration with traditional rulers, religious leaders, community representatives, women, youths, civil society organisations and security agencies to address the underlying causes of conflict and strengthen peaceful coexistence.
He urged stakeholders to establish unified communication protocols, ensure prompt and transparent dissemination of verified information, and strengthen cyber threat monitoring and coordinated responses to disinformation.
Earlier, Chairman of the Centre for Crisis Communication, Major General Chris Olukolade (retd.), stressed the need to translate discussions at the symposium into practical recommendations, stronger institutional relationships and sustained cooperation among security agencies and other stakeholders.
The symposium brought together security and intelligence professionals, policymakers, academics, communication practitioners and other stakeholders to explore practical approaches to strengthening public trust, inter-agency cooperation and the management of emerging cyber threats.
Edited by Shafii Abubakar Wababe
