TRUTHS, HALF-TRUTHS, AND DENIALS: THE CRISIS OF CREDIBILITY IN NIGERIA’S WAR ON TERROR

 

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About the author: 

Chinedu Onwe is a dedicated lawyer, academic research writer, and editor with years of experience producing high-quality, analytical content in law, international relations, and global politics. His work is driven by a deep passion for  International Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) and International Humanitarian Law (IHL), reflecting his keen interest in how legal frameworks interface and influence global peace, security, and governance.

Introduction

Nigeria’s security agencies have intensified operations to tackle insecurity across the country in response to mounting domestic and international pressure. While these operations have recorded mixed tactical gains, they have also generated serious concerns regarding the management and dissemination of information related to security operations. Though it can be argued that necessary narrative control by the military aids in advancing security objectives, the high cost of undermining public trust, which invariably impacts citizen cooperation, remains glaring. 

A troubling pattern of inaccurate, incomplete, or delayed official reports has created visible credibility gaps between security agencies and the public. For instance, in several cases that this article will examine, official accounts of security operations diverge sharply from the experiences of local communities and reports provided by independent observers and media sources. This pattern erodes trust not only in the public communication of security agencies but also in state institutions, thus pushing citizens to increasingly rely on non-state and foreign sources for information about security developments. 

This article examines the implications of credibility gaps in Nigeria’s security agencies’ communication strategies and their broader effects on public trust and national security. It will highlight selected cases in which inconsistencies in official reporting have emerged and analyse the implications of these discrepancies for state–society relations and the effectiveness of counterinsurgency. The article argues that information management should be treated as a critical component of national security strategy. It concludes by proposing practical recommendations to advance transparency, strengthen institutional credibility, and increase public confidence in Nigeria’s security communication framework.

Key implications of credibility gaps

Strengthening public trust is crucial in Nigeria’s war on terror. Part of the country’s National Counter Terrorism Strategy emphasizes the need for government agencies to maintain a sustainable relationship with civil society, including community leaders and their members, traditional and religious institutions, and civil society organizations (CSOs). Withholding or distorting crucial information on the nature of security threats strains this trust, thus making it difficult to achieve the maximum cooperation expected from the public. This impacts other issues like intelligence sharing; crippled public trust poses serious challenges to the mutual exchange of intelligence between civil society (particularly communities) and the military architecture. Community vigilance is also heavily impacted, as the absence of intelligence or adequate information complicates existing vigilance measures. Efforts towards counter-radicalization are also impacted, making it difficult to shield locals from drumming up support for terror groups. 

Beyond the foregoing, this conversation is relevant as the absence of media credibility not only hampers public trust but also significantly hinders policy effectiveness, especially as they relate to the war against terrorism. Terrorist propaganda begins to take root, especially in local communities where internet and technology access are limited, making it difficult to receive accurate information. And the vacuum created by the absence of timely, accurate information is negatively exploited to spread disinformation. 

Evidence of credibility gaps

A disturbing pattern emanates as we look through the media reportage of terror attacks in Nigeria. Cases of denials and rebuttals; media silence from official channels, and a possible case of narrative control that attempts to stir public conversation from serious security issues, deepen existing credibility gaps, thus making it difficult to leverage civilian support in countering insecurity.  

•              Initial denials later confirmed: On November 15 2025, following reports of an ambush by terrorists around Wajiroko in Azir Multe, Damboa LGA of Borno State, on the patrol team of 25 Task Force Brigade and members of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and the abduction of the Commander, Brigade Brigadier General M Uba, the Nigerian army and pro-government channels denied the abduction, claiming the Commander led the troops back to base. However, reports later not only confirmed the abduction but also the tragic execution of the Commander, which was announced by the terrorists. Another case was the killing of at least 12 women protesters by soldiers escorting 23 Brigade Commander Amechi Agwu in Lamurde, Adamawa State. The Army denied the shootings, claiming it was spearheaded by the armed militia. The shooting by the soldiers was, however, confirmed by eyewitnesses present at the scene. 

•      Underreported casualties: One of the most glaring cases of credibility gaps emanates from the reporting of casualties, especially in traditional media platforms. While allegations exist as to the general underreporting of casualties of insecurity, some cases are too glaring to ignore. ISWAP launched a week-long series of attacks against military bases in Borno State. While media reports citing Nigerian military sources noted that the army had successfully repelled some attacks, ISWAP released detailed individual video information on the attacks and the destruction of lives and military equipment trailing them. Also, in light of the report of ransom payment for the 200 pupils and teachers of St Mary's School in Papiri in Niger State abducted by Boko Haram in late-November 2025, the Nigerian government has heavily rebutted the claim, claiming that the students  were “successfully rescued”. While the report claimed ransom payments amounting to 2 billion Naira were made, including the release of two Boko Haram commanders from prison, the Nigerian government’s denial, without clear information on the nature of the rescue operation, leaves room for more questions than answers, further deepening credibility concerns. It also does not help that there have been cases in past where security agencies claim to have successfully rescued victims, only for the victims to reveal that they had secured their release through ransom payments. 

•      Timely release of investigation reports: Another glaring concern is the late or no response to investigation reports. When serious allegations are made, the military would almost certainly note publicly that investigations are underway to uncover the root cause and subsequent steps taken to address the issue. However, there are timely updates on the investigation, and reports are seldom produced (at least through official channels). For instance, there have been long accusations of military complicity in terror attacks. These accusations were recently made by the Governor of Kebbi State, who questioned the withdrawal of military personnel from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, DankoWasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, where terrorists kidnapped 25 students and killed one staff member. The upsetting information recorded that the military personnel, stationed at the school, following intelligence of an imminent attack, left at 3:00 am before the attack happened 45 minutes later. Though Nigeria’s Defence Ministry had promised to investigate the issue, no report has been published so far. Given that this trail's troubling reports of military collusion with terror groups, it is ordinarily expected that investigative reports and media engagements laced with ascertainable and independent verifiable facts should take centre stage as a non-kinetic approach to addressing these allegations. However, the reverse has long remained the case, thus deepening credibility concerns. The delay in publishing reports leaves a vacuum exploited by disinformation. 

Policy Options and Recommendations

The Nigerian military architecture can decide to maintain the status quo: prioritize national security concerns, thus fueling the narrative control of information dissemination. Unfortunately, this would lead to broader issues of credibility gap and erosion of public trust.  On the other hand, certain policy stances can be adopted to preserve security objectives while closing existing credibility gaps. The military can adopt clear disclosure standards for security incidents, allowing a mixture of media-public briefings and online engagements; offer timely corrections and updates, and allow for independent verification channels. Broader lines of action to undertake include:

1.       Establish a security communication accountability framework that sets the standards for accuracy, timely reporting, and transparent corrections in official security communications, while enabling independent verification to strengthen public trust. 

2.      Mandate post-incident disclosure timelines, offering opportunities for media engagement to exhaustively address concerns surrounding the nature of the incident.

3.      Integrate open source intelligence (OSINT) and civilian reporting into official assessments, ensuring that intelligence and security assessments are comprehensive.

4.      Train military and government spokespersons on credibility-based strategic communication. Beyond qualification and experience, continuous learning opportunities ensure that military personnel remain abreast with best practices on reporting standards. 

Conclusion 

The war on terror relies on public cooperation for its success. However, dwindling public trust significantly impacts these chances. Renewing this entails strengthening key areas that contribute to the overall building of public trust. Beyond strategic military actions, truthful communication is a strategic security necessity that cannot be overlooked.