The Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) has disclosed that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Department of State Security Service (DSS) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) dominated positive media coverage in December 2025, as Nigeria’s security, intelligence, military and emergency response agencies recorded strong national visibility driven by major operations, reforms and inter-agency collaboration.

According to the CCC’s December 2025 Media Review, an independent assessment of thousands of reports across traditional and online platforms, public perception of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, security and paramilitary institutions, intelligence agencies and emergency responders was largely positive. The review analyzed coverage across four broad sectors—Armed Forces, Security/Paramilitary, Intelligence/Anti-Corruption, and Response Agencies—and found high levels of media engagement linked to operational successes, leadership initiatives and coordinated institutional actions.

In the security and law enforcement sector, which includes the Nigeria Police Force, NCS, NDLEA, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), the agencies collectively recorded 61 per cent positive, 33 per cent fair, and 6 per cent negative media coverage.

Individually, NCS and NDLEA emerged as the strongest performers, each recording over 70 per cent positive visibility, largely driven by high-profile seizures of cocaine, tramadol, cannabis, petroleum products and record-breaking revenue interceptions. The arrest of major drug traffickers and smuggling kingpins further boosted their public image. The NIS and NCoS also enjoyed largely positive or neutral coverage, reflecting improved operational effectiveness and growing inter-agency cooperation.

The Nigeria Police Force remained one of the most visible institutions during the period, driven by headlines around the recruitment of 50,000 constables, festive-season security deployments and major criminal arrests. However, the CCC noted that the Police also faced pockets of negative publicity linked to press-freedom concerns, misinformation incidents and isolated cases of violence.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN)—comprising the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA)—recorded 40 per cent positive, 40 per cent fair, and 20 per cent negative media coverage. Positive reports highlighted significant counterterrorism gains, including the rescue of 318 kidnapped victims, the disruption of oil theft valued at over N217 million and multiple successful military operations nationwide. The Nigerian Air Force also earned commendation for its strong showing at Nigeria’s first international airshow.

Fair coverage of the Armed Forces centred on editorials and analytical pieces calling for deeper reforms and enhanced inter-service coordination, while negative reports focused on terror attacks, abductions, leaked memos related to terrorism financing and isolated cases of misconduct. The CCC observed that 83 per cent of all military-related reports originated from online platforms, underscoring the growing dominance of digital media in shaping national security narratives.

In the intelligence and anti-corruption sector, which includes the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Department of State Services (DSS), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the review recorded 50 per cent positive, 36 per cent fair, and 14 per cent negative coverage.

DSS attracted more positive reports with huge commendations mostly from media for its commitment to human rights, press freedom and respect for journalists and media organizations. ONSA emerged as the most visible institution in this category, with reports highlighting international support for Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts, successful rescue operations and the diplomatic engagements of National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. Fair coverage reflected policy debates, official assurances to affected communities and calls for strategic reforms, while negative reports were largely tied to political criticisms, bandit attacks and opinion pieces questioning counterterrorism strategies. CCC noted that 80 per cent of intelligence-related coverage was generated online.

In the response and emergency management sector, comprising the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal Fire Service (FFS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), agencies collectively recorded 54 per cent positive, 20 per cent fair, and 26 per cent negative media coverage.

NEMA was the most visible agency in this group, driven by extensive reports on relief distribution across several states, the activation of emergency response offices, road-safety campaigns under Operation Eagle Eye and leadership initiatives led by Director-General Zubaida Umar. FRSC also attracted positive coverage for nationwide road-safety operations, while NSCDC recorded mixed reports—commendations for infrastructure protection and training initiatives, alongside criticism related to VIP protection capacity and ongoing fraud investigations. Coverage of the Federal Fire Service was comparatively limited but included both commendations and reports of fire-related casualties.

Across all sectors, the CCC identified key trends shaping media narratives. Operational successes were the strongest drivers of positive coverage, while policy debates and reform discussions accounted for most fair reporting. Negative coverage, though relatively limited, was often linked to insecurity, reputational controversies and public criticism of institutional lapses. Digital media dominated the information space, accounting for over 75 per cent of all reports reviewed.

The Centre recommended that agencies strengthen proactive communication to counter misinformation, deepen inter-agency collaboration to project unified narratives, enhance digital engagement strategies, address internal discipline issues transparently and sustain ongoing reforms to reinforce public trust. It also called for increased investment in capacity building, particularly for agencies such as NSCDC and the Federal Fire Service.

Overall, the CCC concluded that Nigeria’s military, security, intelligence and emergency response agencies maintained strong visibility and largely positive public perception in December 2025, while noting that persistent security challenges and reputational risks underscore the need for sustained strategic communication and institutional reforms. (By PRNigeria)

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