Complications in banditry and Ekiti politics of aloofness

Nigeria is grappling with a significant problem of fake and recycled videos circulating widely, seemingly designed to amplify the nation's insecurity crisis for political and commercial motives. This trend has intensified following recent high-profile abductions, including the invasion of pupils in Oyo State and the mass kidnapping of schoolchildren in Borno State.

Following these incidents, a deluge of fake, old, and manipulated videos and photographs depicting non-existent violence, arrests, and attempted abductions has surfaced daily. These visuals are often falsely attributed to various locations across Nigeria, including known kidnappers' dens. The article points out that many well-meaning but uninformed individuals willingly share this misleading content, inadvertently fueling the propaganda machine of terrorist and criminal groups.

Terrorism thrives on publicity, and propaganda keeps its engine running. Perpetrators of these vices employ tools typically reserved for conventional warfare to instill fear and project an image of control, especially in the social media age. Scholars have described modern terrorism as "media terrorism" due to the intertwined relationship between extreme acts and media attention, where terrorists exploit this fascination to maximize global attention.

However, the situation in Nigeria goes beyond mere media manipulation. The perpetrators brazenly display weapons, often advertised as imported, and flaunt ransoms collected from victims on social media. The article criticizes certain approaches, like those in Katsina State, where significant funds are allegedly spent on "peace deals" and releasing bandits. This strategy, it argues, not only fails to quell violence but actively funds deadly attacks and empowers criminal elements, particularly in the North-West region.

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Modern terrorism is media terrorism. The media are attracted by extreme terrorist acts not only because it is their duty to report on any major event, but also because the dramatic and spectacular aspect of terrorism fascinates the public. Today’s terrorists exploit this and act in a way which will attract maximum attention around the world.