Comrade Issa Aremu, Director-General of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), has urged journalists to exercise caution and professionalism in reporting on terrorist attacks, following deadly incidents in Woro and Nuku communities in Kwara State’s Kaiama Local Government Area.

Speaking during his electronic membership registration with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Baboko Ward, Ilorin West LGA, Aremu stressed that media coverage can shape public perception and warned against sensationalism that grants undue publicity to terrorists.

Aremu, a member of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, noted that focusing excessively on gory details can amplify fear and inadvertently serve the agenda of extremists.

He urged the media instead to highlight the resilience of affected communities and commend government responses at both state and federal levels under President Bola Tinubu.

“The oxygen of publicity given to terrorists often emboldens them,” Aremu said, emphasizing the need for balance, sobriety, and ethical reporting.

Aremu praised the prompt deployment of security forces and humanitarian aid to the victims, while calling for intensified preventive measures, including timely intelligence utilization.

Advocating a long-term solution, he stressed the importance of development in tackling terrorism. “There are three solutions to terrorism: development, development, and development,” he said.

He proposed reclaiming ungoverned spaces through industries, agri-allied enterprises, schools, roads, electrification, and youth employment, to reduce the vulnerability of young people to extremist recruitment.

Aremu’s remarks reflect a growing call for media responsibility in reporting security challenges while promoting sustainable development and community resilience as tools against extremism.