ABUJA — Tensions over national security have escalated following allegations that the Federal Government is suppressing media reports of mass killings by suspected armed militias in several parts of the country.
Social media users and rights activists, including Chief Barr. Maxwell Opara and digital commentators, have claimed that many “slaughterings” by extremist groups go unreported due to official directives aimed at managing public perception.
Unreported Violence Claims
Critics allege that a “reign of impunity” is allowing major attacks to occur without adequate national coverage. For instance, Media Rights Agenda (MRA) recently documented 86 incidents of violations against journalists and citizens in 2025 alone, noting that physical violence and arrests are frequently used to silence those who speak out about rural massacres.
International observers have also raised concerns. The Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa reported that militia violence in the Middle Belt is often met with “government complicity in silence” and restrictions on independent reporting. Recent reports from January 2026 show that while some attacks, such as the killing of 42 people in Kasuwan Daji, made headlines, many other rural raids remain significantly underreported.
Government and Police Defense
The Federal Government has consistently refuted claims of targeted killings or genocide, calling such narratives “divisive” and “irresponsible.” Officials argue that profiling data based on ethnicity or religion would undermine national unity and fuel further conflict.
In a recent roundtable in Abuja, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) openly condemned personnel who attack journalists and insisted the force is “open to reports” of criminality.
However, legal experts point out that the government is currently seeking to delay a court ruling that would mandate the protection and prosecution of those who target media practitioners.
Public Outcry
The debate reached a fever pitch this week following viral posts from figures like Dr. Kenon, who alleged that the media is under a strict order to ignore specific atrocities. While major outlets continue to cover high-profile attacks, residents in states like Benue and Plateau continue to protest against what they describe as “two-tiered law enforcement” that leaves rural communities vulnerable to unchecked violence.
