By Nnasom David

ABUJA — The Federal Government, the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), and other stakeholders have stressed the need for responsible use of language in security discourse, warning that careless terminology fuels ethnic profiling, deepens divisions, and undermines trust across West Africa.

The call was made at a two-day conference titled “Contextualizing Definitions and Terminologies to Address Stereotyping and Ethnic Profiling in Discourses and Security Operations in West Africa,” held in Abuja.

Speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of NCTC, Major General Adamu Garba Laka, said the conference was convened to examine how language shapes security outcomes in the region.

Representing the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, he noted that the way security issues are defined and communicated can either promote unity or worsen mistrust among communities.

According to him, sustainable security goes beyond the use of force and must be anchored on prevention, trust-building, and responsible communication. He warned that stereotyping and ethnic profiling could weaken intelligence gathering and cooperation between security agencies and local communities.

Also speaking, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, represented by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council, Dili Ezughah, emphasised that language used in security operations and media reporting carries significant consequences for national unity.

He cautioned that inaccurate or careless labels could reinforce stereotypes, deepen divisions, and create mistrust between citizens and institutions, stressing the need to distinguish between criminal behaviour and group identity.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited, Kabir Adamu, said the conference was designed to tackle harmful narratives in public discussions on security.

He noted that bias and identity-based language often isolate groups and, in some cases, promote hate messaging.

Adamu added that the conference would produce practical tools, including a comprehensive toolkit for media practitioners and security operators, to promote inclusive and effective security communication.

Similarly, the founder of WhiteInk Institute for Strategy Education and Research, Brig.-Gen. Saleh Bala (retd.), described language as a powerful force in shaping security realities.

He warned that misuse of terms could incite fear, reinforce dangerous stereotypes, and pose broader human rights concerns.
Bala said the conference would also produce an “Anti-ethnic Stereotyping and Profiling Toolkit” and a national policy brief aimed at improving communication in security operations.

Participants were expected to examine how narratives influence conflict, media reporting, and policy responses, while proposing frameworks for non-stigmatizing terminology.

Stakeholders noted that the initiative forms part of wider efforts to promote inclusive, rights-based, and effective security strategies in Nigeria and across the West African sub-region.