Separating Banditry From Human Rights Advocacy: Ndume’s Call for Balanced Journalism

 Separating Banditry From Human Rights Advocacy: Ndume’s Call for Balanced Journalism

In the midst of Nigeria's long struggle with banditry, terrorism, and rural insecurity, public debate has become increasingly intense — not only about the violence itself, but also how it is portrayed in the media. Senator Ali Ndume, a Borno South representative and long-time security expert, recently asked the press to write in a balanced, factual manner rather than inflammatory narratives that distort the nature of banditry and counter-insurgency operations.

The Challenge: Insecurity and Public Perception.

For several years, Nigeria has experienced an increase in insecurity caused by banditry, militants such as Boko Haram and ISWAP, and criminal groups responsible for kidnappings, massacres, and community devastation. These violent acts have killed thousands, displaced millions, and transformed large rural areas into battle zones. The human cost of banditry is high and indiscriminate, hitting farmers, youths, women, and entire villages.

Against this backdrop, how these events are covered and debated in the media has a significant impact on public opinion and policy responses.

Ndume warns against irresponsible narratives.

Senator Ndume, who has held leadership positions supervising national security issues, has denounced what he refers to as "bandit-lover rhetoric" in some public debates. According to reports of his remarks, he believes that some criticism sympathizes with criminals or characterizes security operations in ways that weaken public trust and empower criminal actors.

In his plea for objectivity, Ndume underlines that:

Bandits and terrorist groups are violent criminals whose actions cause significant harm to persons and communities.

Labelling or framing violent acts in ways that diminish culpability or humanize offenders can obscure the line between perpetrators and victims.

The press has a responsibility to report truthfully, without exaggeration or sensationalism that breeds fear, divisiveness, or suspicion of security institutions. His worries mirror a broader discussion on how media framing can influence public understanding of national security dangers.

Why Does Balanced Journalism Matter?

1. Avoid glamorization or misrepresentation.

According to research on media and insecurity, careless language, such as overstatements or narratives that unintentionally glorify violence, can alter perceptions in ways that distort reality and influence policy decisions. Some academic research have shown that specific newspaper framing can glamorize violent behaviour or make insecurity appear everlasting rather than actionable. Neutral, truthful reporting helps the public comprehend the nature, causes, and consequences of banditry without sensationalizing it.

2. Preserving Human Rights Without Strengthening Criminal Narratives

Human rights advocacy is still critical in Nigeria, especially given recorded atrocities by extremist organizations like Boko Haram, whose attacks on civilians have been condemned globally as significant violations of humanitarian law.

However, advocating for human dignity and civil liberties does not imply condoning, rationalizing, or downplaying atrocities committed by bandits or terrorist organizations. Ndume's thesis encourages media to tread carefully, emphasizing victims and structural injustices while avoiding storylines that tacitly justify perpetrators.

3. Supporting Lawful Security Responses.

Nigeria's security forces, which include the Army, Air Force, Police, and other agencies, have been conducting sophisticated, high-risk missions to protect residents. Overly inflammatory reporting that portrays all military activities as mass killings or wrongdoing in the absence of evidence can weaken public trust and divert attention away from genuine accountability issues.

Balanced journalism can help differentiate between:

Legitimate security actions designed to safeguard civilians

Actual human rights breaches that warrant an independent investigation.

Rumours or unconfirmed accusations that may exacerbate tensions.

This is not to say that criticism of security forces should be suppressed; rather, it should be based on verifiable facts and adhere to legal and ethical standards.

The Power and Responsibility of the Press

Journalism plays an important role in moulding public conversation. In times of insecurity, this position becomes even more important. Balanced reporting can include:

Enhance the voices of victims and affected communities.

Provide context for the core causes of violence.

Clarify the distinctions between criminal actors and civilians.

Avoid escalating misunderstandings or social divisions.

Language choice, narrative framing, and agenda-setting have long been emphasized by media academics as major factors shaping public perception of war and security concerns. Some study even demonstrates how media framing of insecurity narratives can influence public fear, policy support, and inter community relations.

Ndume's call is consistent with broader democratic principles: a free press should report truthfully while avoiding sensationalism, which distorts comprehension of difficult subjects.

Conclusion: A Call for Nuance and Accuracy.

Senator Ali Ndume's statements illustrate an important aspect of current journalism in conflict-affected societies: how we discuss violence matters. Objective reporting, based on facts, clear distinctions, and measured language, not only informs citizens but also promotes ethical government, safeguards democratic ideals, and honours the dignity of all victims of insecurity.

By distinguishing between banditry narratives and human rights advocacy, journalists can help to develop an informed public and a more unified national response to Nigeria's ongoing security difficulties.