An advocacy group has raised the need for Nigerians to understand both the operational demands and the human dimensions of the current security challenges facing the country, warning that the country’s security problems were too serious for online outrage.
The group was reacting to what it described as selective outrage over old videos of Nigerian leaders circulating on social media, warning that recycling such footage only distracts from pressing national security issues.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Lagos, the Coalition for Truth and National Interest, CTNI, led by its national president, Olatokunbo Olawoyin, emphasised that public debate should focus on verifiable contributions of individuals rather than emotionally charged fragments taken out of context on social media.
The group condemned what it described as opportunistic attempts to strip the country of the broader security realities, noting that Nigeria’s security required coordination, tact, and a deep understanding of the security environment.
The coalition further urged Nigerians to differentiate between understanding the causes of insecurity and condoning criminality, cautioning that conflating the two could lead to unfair vilification of public officials actively engaged in security management.
“At a time when the country faces multiple security pressures, the government needs competent hands, people who understand both the operational demands and the human dimensions of conflict,” Olawoyin said.
The group also appealed to the media and the public to prioritise the national interest over sensationalism, warning against allowing social media narratives to distort perceptions of public servants’ performance.
“Nigeria is at a critical juncture. We cannot afford to be distracted by manufactured controversies. This is not the time to weaponise old videos or pursue narratives that undermine those committed to stabilising the nation. What the country needs is unity, sober analysis, and a commitment to facts, not outrage theatre,” the statement added.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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