By CHRISTIANA LOT, Jos –
The Nigerian Institute of Social Media Analysts (NISMA) and the Institute for Conflict Management and Negotiation Analysts (ICMNA) have proposed the creation of Social Media Monitoring and Security Centers in every state to track digital threats and counter misinformation.
The proposal was announced during a three-day security communication workshop in Jos, organized in partnership with the Plateau State Government, the Nigerian Police School of Public Relations, and other stakeholders.
The workshop, themed ” Effective Security Communication: Leveraging Digital Tools for De-escalation of Insecurity in Plateau State,” brought together media professionals, security experts, government officials, and civil society groups.
In his remarks, Deputy Inspector General of Police Frank Mba, represented by Dr. Segun O. Silas, National Deputy Coordinator of ICMNA, warned that digital platforms have increasingly become tools that can either promote peace or inflame conflict.
“We do not need to look far to see how digital platforms have influenced security situations. A single fabricated story, manipulated image, or provocative video can escalate into full-blown conflict within hours,” he said.
Mba cited the #EndSARS movement as an example, explaining that while social media helped mobilize protesters and amplify demands for justice, it also enabled the rapid spread of misinformation that heightened tensions in some areas.
He pointed to incidents in Plateau State where doctored images and false narratives had triggered communal unrest, emphasizing that such experiences highlight the urgent need for proactive digital security management.
To address this, NISMA and ICMNA proposed the establishment of dedicated Social Media Monitoring and Security Centers across the country. Mba explained that these centers would serve as early warning systems by identifying harmful narratives before they escalate into violence.
“The aim is not to suppress free speech but to prevent digital spaces from becoming tools for misinformation and violence. These centers will allow authorities to act before crises spiral out of control,” he said.
According to Mba, the proposed centers would analyze online content for potential threats, counter hate speech, and collaborate with security agencies to prevent crises. He added that they would also promote peacebuilding by spreading conflict resolution messages through digital platforms.
In his keynote address, CP Emmanuel Ojukwu (Rtd), Provost of the Nigerian Police School of Public Relations in Abuja, underscored the role of effective communication in security management. He identified leadership challenges, particularly the ‘conspiracy of aides’ syndrome, as a major factor that undermines security responses.
“The effectiveness of a leader is largely influenced by the ability to navigate what has been termed the ‘conspiracy of aides’ syndrome,” Ojukwu said. “Too often, leaders become disconnected from realities outside the government house, relying solely on filtered narratives from their aides.”
He stressed the need for structured training programs to improve communication between leaders and their aides to ensure governance strategies align with security priorities. Ojukwu also called for improved reputation management, enhanced intelligence gathering, and proactive crisis communication to strengthen public trust and improve crisis response.
In their goodwill messages, Plateau State Commissioner of Police CP Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina, GOC 3 Division of the Nigerian Army Major General Folusho Oyinlola, and the Gbong Gwom Jos Da Jacob Gyang Buba stressed the importance of digital tools in enhancing security communication.
They urged participants to actively apply the workshop’s insights to improve security strategies, emphasizing that combating misinformation is a collective responsibility involving government officials, security agencies, traditional rulers, and civil society groups.
The workshop also featured the induction of new members into the Institute for Conflict Management and Negotiation Analysts (ICMNA), who were recognized for their contributions to security communication and conflict resolution.
