Africa must end ethnic profiling in security operations” — Security stakeholders speak out

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

A coalition of security, academic and civil society stakeholders has called for a shift away from ethnicity-based labels in security operations, warning that such practices fuel division and undermine national stability.

The call was made during a high-level virtual dialogue hosted by Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited (BSIL) and The Whiteink Institute for Strategy Education and Research (WISER), with support from the UKAid-funded Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) project.

A statement signed by Dr Kabir Adamu, Managing Director, BSIL, and Brig General Saleh Bala (Rtd), President and Founder, WISER, stated that the event, held on 10 February 2026, focused on refining the language used in regional security engagements, particularly in Nigeria’s North West and North Central regions where profiling and stigmatisation have been linked to recurring tensions.

Speaking at the session, Team Leader of the SPRiNG project, Dr Ukoha Ukiwo, said findings from inception studies showed that hate speech and divisive narratives remain major drivers of violence.

He stressed the importance of adopting conflict-sensitive communication, warning that careless use of language could undermine peacebuilding efforts.

He said insensitive expressions could cause interventions to “boomerang” and trigger further instability.

Participants drawn from various sectors raised concerns over the implications of identity-based classifications in security discourse.

Executive Director of the Neem Foundation, Dr Fatima Akilu, noted that labels are often not neutral and tend to oversimplify identities, thereby deepening marginalisation.

Also speaking, Ambassador Sarki Usman, who represented multi-agency organisations, argued that ethnic profiling is not only harmful but counterproductive, as it creates stigma that weakens intelligence gathering and affects overall security outcomes.

From the academic perspective, Professor Okey Okechukwu of Nnamdi Azikiwe University emphasised the need for inclusive, community-driven peacebuilding approaches that extend beyond theoretical discussions.

On the security front, retired Major General E.G. Ode called for a strategic overhaul that incorporates cultural awareness and accountability into field operations.

Similarly, retired Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman urged media practitioners to focus on criminal behaviour rather than ethnic identity, cautioning against what he described as “dog-whistle” narratives.

A community leader from North Central Nigeria, Mr George Iyua’a, also stressed that security terminology should remain behaviour-based to protect innocent citizens and rebuild public trust.

The organisers said outcomes from the dialogue would inform a broader physical conference scheduled to hold in Abuja on 1 and 2 April 2026.

According to them, the meeting will produce a draft toolkit and policy brief aimed at guiding language use in defence, law enforcement and judicial institutions, as well as promoting responsible communication within the media and education sectors.

They added that the initiative seeks wider collaboration across sectors to address stereotyping and improve the effectiveness of security responses in Nigeria and the wider West African region.