CCS Backs Objective Security Reporting, Warns Against Ethnic Bias in Tackling Criminality
The Centre for Contemporary Studies (CCS), Abuja, has called for a single national standard in reporting and addressing insecurity, insisting that criminality must be condemned regardless of the ethnic, religious or political identity of those involved.
In a statement issued on July 8, 2026, the Centre expressed support for the position advanced by security analyst and conflict reporter Zagazola Makama, describing objective, fact-based reporting as indispensable to Nigeria’s fight against insecurity.
The Centre argued that lasting peace and security can only be achieved when all offenders are subjected to the same standards of accountability without bias or selective treatment.
According to the statement, criminal acts do not become acceptable because they are committed by members of a particular ethnic group, nor can violence be justified under the guise of communal defence.
CCS said the controversy surrounding the identification of a suspected attacker involved in the attempted assault on the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies exposed a deeper national challenge—the tendency of some individuals and groups to embrace transparency only when it implicates perceived opponents while rejecting the same principle when members of their own communities are involved.
The Centre maintained that objective reporting should not be mistaken for ethnic profiling, stressing that journalists and security analysts have a professional obligation to report verified facts concerning the identity, affiliation and operational background of criminal suspects without intimidation or political pressure.
It warned that selective outrage and selective accountability erode public trust, fuel divisions and ultimately undermine efforts to resolve Nigeria’s security challenges.
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“For years, Nigerians have demanded that security reports accurately identify perpetrators of violence. That demand must remain consistent,” the statement noted, adding that the same standard should apply whether those responsible are Fulani bandits, Berom militias, Irigwe militias, Mwaghavul militias or any other armed criminal group.
CCS also commended security personnel for successfully repelling the attempted attack on NIPSS, praising their professionalism, courage and continued commitment to safeguarding strategic national institutions despite difficult operational conditions.
The Centre further emphasized that no ethnic or religious community has a monopoly on either criminality or victimhood, noting that millions of law-abiding Nigerians across all backgrounds seek peace, justice and security, while criminal elements exist in every community.
It stressed that Nigeria’s battle against insecurity would remain difficult if crimes continued to be judged based on the identity of perpetrators rather than the nature of their offences.
“A criminal remains a criminal regardless of ethnicity. An armed attacker remains an armed attacker regardless of religion. A murderer does not become a hero because he belongs to a particular community,” the statement declared.
The Centre therefore urged the media, civil society organisations, traditional and community leaders, and the general public to uphold fairness, accountability and equal justice in confronting insecurity.
According to CCS, shielding criminals through ethnic, religious or political narratives weakens national security and frustrates efforts to build lasting peace.
Reaffirming its commitment to truth and justice, the Centre said it would continue to support responsible efforts to expose criminality wherever it exists, insisting that there must be no sacred cows in the fight against insecurity and no protection for offenders based on identity or affiliation.