The Centre for Crisis Communication has warned that worsening insecurity, persistent inflation, food insecurity, disinformation and rising ethno-religious divisions are threatening Nigeria’s economic stability, national unity and democratic governance.
The warning was contained in the Centre’s Second Quarter 2026 National Security and Stability Report presented in Abuja on Tuesday by its Chairman, retired Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade.
According to the Centre’s chairman, the report, prepared by the Centre’s Crisis Communication Hub, showed a deterioration in Nigeria’s security and information environment during the second quarter of 2026, particularly in June.
Olukolade said, “The Centre expresses deep concern over the convergence of escalating insecurity, widespread disinformation, severe economic hardship, and intensifying ethno-religious polarisation — a combination that poses significant risks to national stability and social cohesion.”
He said the assessment revealed “a marked deterioration in the country’s security landscape,” characterised by persistent terrorist attacks, mass kidnappings, violent banditry, farmer-herder clashes, the resurgence of extremist elements and the growing use of artificial intelligence-driven disinformation and coordinated misinformation campaigns.
While acknowledging the efforts of the Armed Forces and other security agencies in rescuing abducted victims and disrupting terrorist activities, Olukolade said criminal groups had continued to adapt their tactics.
He said, “While acknowledging the commendable efforts and operational successes recorded by the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies — particularly in the rescue of abducted persons and the disruption of terrorist activities — the Centre notes that criminal groups continue to evolve and adapt their tactics. This reality underscores the urgent need for more robust, coordinated, and intelligence-driven responses across all security formations.”
The retired general also linked the country’s security challenges to economic hardship, warning that inflation and food insecurity were worsening public frustration and increasing social vulnerabilities.
He said, “The Centre further observes that worsening economic conditions, rising food insecurity and persistent inflation continue to exacerbate public frustration and heighten social vulnerabilities.”
Olukolade further raised concerns over what he described as the unprecedented spread of fake news, manipulated multimedia content and AI-generated disinformation capable of undermining public confidence in state institutions.
He continued, “Nigeria is experiencing an unprecedented proliferation of fake news, manipulated multimedia content, AI-generated disinformation and inflammatory narratives capable of undermining public confidence in state institutions. This situation is aggravating social tensions and complicating ongoing security operations.”
He warned that as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gathered momentum, the deliberate spread of false information and hate speech had become an increasing threat to national peace and democratic stability.
The CCC chairman also expressed concern over reported restrictions on press freedom and the alleged misuse of existing laws against journalists.
“Equally concerning are reports of restrictions on press freedom and the misuse of extant laws against journalists, developments that have implications for democratic governance and public accountability,” he said.
Olukolade further warned against what he described as the growing weaponisation of ethnic and religious identities by some politicians.
He said, “A particularly disturbing trend identified during the quarter is the increasing weaponisation of ethnic and religious identities by some political actors for partisan purposes. The Centre warns that Nigeria’s hard-earned gains in nation-building, national integration and peaceful coexistence are gradually being eroded by divisive rhetoric and identity politics.”
According to him, unless the trend was urgently addressed, it could further inflame tensions and undermine national unity as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
As part of the Centre’s recommendations, Olukolade urged the Federal Government and security agencies to strengthen specialised training, improve rescue operations and adopt more intelligence-driven strategies to tackle kidnappings and other security emergencies.
He also urged journalists, commentators and social media users to avoid sensationalising kidnapping incidents and ongoing rescue operations, saying responsible reporting and the dissemination of verified information were essential to protecting security operations and preventing unnecessary public panic.
Olukolade further called on political leaders to refrain from exploiting ethnic and religious differences for political advantage and instead promote national cohesion.
He also reiterated the Centre’s support for the establishment of state police as part of broader security sector reforms.
“Considering the growing public consensus that state policing represents a more responsive and effective approach to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges, the Centre reiterates its support for the establishment of state police as part of broader security sector reforms,” he said.
He, however, cautioned that the constitutional, legal and institutional framework for state policing should not be subjected to unnecessary delays, while adequate safeguards should be put in place to guarantee professionalism, accountability and protection against abuse.
Olukolade also called on government institutions, security agencies, political parties, religious and traditional leaders, civil society organisations, the media and citizens to work collectively to combat misinformation, strengthen national unity and promote responsible public communication.
According to him, addressing Nigeria’s security challenges requires “a whole-of-society approach anchored on professionalism, strategic communication, intelligence-led operations, responsible leadership and active citizen participation.”
PUNCH Online earlier reported that the Federal Government acknowledged that inflation and insecurity remain major challenges facing Nigerians, even as it defended the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the past three years.
Also, the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Ali Rabiu, recently urged the Federal Government to take urgent and decisive steps to address Nigeria’s escalating security challenges and worsening economic hardship.
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