DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2018.v06i04.002

Pages: 800-807

A key responsibility of the state that cannot be devolved to non-state actors is the protection of the lives and properties of the elements of the state such as population and territory. In fulfilling this tasking responsibility, the state explores all necessary tools especially when groups such as BHT challenge its monopoly to the use of force and threatens to erode national security. The FG in response to this set up a National Information Centre to communicate it efforts in the COIN operation in NE Nigeria, which includes using the media as tools to counter violent narratives, enhanced conflict sensitive reportage, denying access to, and effectively containing the deployment of media platform by BHT to weaken national security in the NE Nigeria. However, these efforts have been hampered by several challenges and have prolonged the COIN in the NE. The current practice that subsumes media for national security under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) through the Behavioural Analysis and the Strategic Communication Unit is not capable of anchoring and exploring the full utilization of the media in COIN for enhanced national security in the NE Nigeria.