Publicity Is the Oxygen of Terrorism: What This Statement Means for Nigeria –By Matthew Ma

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher once said, “Publicity is the oxygen of terrorism.” She argued that terrorists do not rely solely on violence; they also depend heavily on the attention their actions attract. The fear, panic, and extensive media coverage that accompany terrorist acts magnify their impact beyond the immediate victims. For a nation like Nigeria, which has faced challenges from insurgency, banditry, and various forms of violent extremism, Thatcher’s observation offers a crucial lesson on how terrorism should be understood and addressed.

The primary objective of terrorism goes beyond the immediate intent to inflict harm or destroy property. At its core, terrorism aims to cultivate fear and instability, targeting not only individuals but entire communities and nations. It seeks to disrupt social order, provoke political change, and draw attention to specific ideologies or grievances. Terrorist actions are often orchestrated to elicit a reaction from governments or societies, amplifying their impact through viral dissemination. A single attack in a remote area can trigger widespread anxiety, especially when images, videos, and sensational headlines dominate news cycles and social media. In this context, publicity acts as a force multiplier for terrorism.

Nigeria’s experience with groups such as Boko Haram, bandits, and kidnappers illustrates this point well. Beyond the tragic loss of life, these groups often exploit media attention to project an image of power and influence. A striking example is the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, in April 2014. Following the kidnapping, Boko Haram’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, released a video claiming responsibility and ominously declaring, “I abducted your girls. I will sell them in the market.” The video sparked international outrage and extensive media coverage. As a result, the terrorist group drew global attention, leading to the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, which featured contributions from prominent figures, including former US First Lady Michelle Obama. While the campaign aimed to secure the girls’ release, it also inadvertently enhanced Boko Haram’s international profile and showcased its ability to challenge the Nigerian state.

The abduction of 110 schoolgirls from Dapchi, Yobe State, by a Boko Haram faction highlighted a similar trend. The incident drew extensive media coverage both nationally and internationally. After most of the girls were released, the group strategically leveraged the developments to reinforce its narrative and distinguish itself from rival factions. One student, Leah Sharibu, remained in captivity after reportedly refusing to renounce her Christian faith. Her ongoing detention has become a powerful symbol, invoked by both the terrorists and advocacy groups.

On March 28, 2022, armed assailants attacked and bombed the Abuja–Kaduna passenger train. The attack killed several passengers and abducted dozens more. The kidnappers later released videos of the hostages pleading for government intervention. By disseminating these videos, the perpetrators heightened public pressure on authorities and intensified nationwide anxiety about the safety of transportation infrastructure. The media coverage transformed what could have been seen as a localized criminal incident into a significant national security crisis.

In northwestern Nigeria, bandits have repeatedly targeted educational institutions with alarming frequency. Notable incidents include the abduction of more than 300 students from the Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina State, in 2020. In 2021, at the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization in Kaduna State, students were kidnapped, and subsequent videos showed the captives pleading for rescue. These groups recognize that attacks on educational institutions attract significant media attention because they involve children. This publicity amplifies fear among parents and communities, disrupts the educational process, and pressures authorities to negotiate.

Across Nigeria, kidnapping gangs are increasingly using tactics such as releasing photographs or videos of their captives, coercing victims into making public appeals for ransom, and threatening families with audio recordings. Their objectives extend beyond securing ransom payments. This public dissemination serves multiple purposes: it showcases their operational capabilities, fosters widespread anxiety, encourages family compliance, and bolsters the criminals’ reputation for ruthlessness. What do these examples demonstrate? These incidents exemplify Margaret Thatcher’s assertion that “publicity is the oxygen of terrorism.”

High-profile attacks, kidnappings, and threats are often intended to instill public fear and attract international attention. The more coverage these acts receive, the greater their psychological impact on society. However, this does not mean the media should overlook terrorist activities. The public has a right to be informed, and journalists have a duty to report on significant national events. The challenge lies in how these events are reported. Sensationalism, excessive broadcasting of graphic images, and the uncritical dissemination of terrorist propaganda can inadvertently further the goals of extremist groups. Responsible journalism requires a careful balance between the public’s right to know and the need to avoid becoming an unintentional platform for those who seek to incite terror.

In Nigeria’s context, Thatcher’s statement underscores the importance of effective government communication strategies. Authorities must ensure that citizens receive accurate, timely information during security crises. When credible official information is lacking, rumors and misinformation can proliferate, heightening panic and eroding trust in public institutions. Effective communication should reassure the public while acknowledging the gravity of security threats.

Social media poses an increasingly significant challenge to security and information dissemination. In the modern landscape, terrorists have moved beyond depending solely on traditional media outlets for publicity and communication. Instead, they exploit various social media platforms to spread their messages, recruit followers, and incite violence more rapidly and widely than ever before. This shift enables them to bypass the editorial filters of conventional news organizations, allowing them to reach audiences across the globe directly and unmediated. As a result, Nigerian citizens must exercise caution when sharing unverified reports, disturbing videos, or inflammatory content that could incite public panic or unintentionally amplify terrorist messaging.

Therefore, reducing publicity alone is insufficient to combat terrorism. Nigeria must continue to address the underlying factors that fuel insecurity, including poverty, unemployment, weak institutions, inadequate intelligence gathering, and regional instability. Essential elements of a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy include military operations, community engagement, deradicalization programs, and socioeconomic development. Margaret Thatcher’s insight reminds us that terrorism is not only a security challenge but also a psychological struggle. Terrorists seek to dominate public consciousness through fear and attention. Therefore, Nigeria’s response must be strategic—not through censorship or silence, but through responsible journalism, effective government communication, and a society that refuses to let fear dictate its actions.

The pressing question we confront today is whether Nigerians genuinely experience what we can define as privacy. This inquiry raises further questions about the existence of any semblance of confidentiality, particularly in intelligence reports critical to national security. As we navigate the complexities of countering terrorism, it is essential to recognize that a significant victory over this threat involves not just the defeat of those who perpetrate acts of violence but also the safeguarding of sensitive information regarding terrorist activities. This requires preventing individuals from utilizing information disseminated by terrorists to further their agendas. Furthermore, an important aspect of this struggle is the media’s role. We must critically examine journalistic practices to avoid inadvertently glorifying terrorism. When the media sensationalizes terrorist acts, it grants the very attention that these individuals seek. Therefore, we must refrain from promoting such narratives. By avoiding these narratives, we can reduce the influence of terrorists on society.

In conclusion, Nigeria can enhance its security framework and strengthen its democratic values by effectively addressing issues of national privacy and media accountability. This dual strategy not only addresses the immediate challenges presented by terrorism but also fortifies the nation’s core principles, which prioritize both security and individual rights.

Rev. Ma, S.J., is a Jesuit priest and public policy analyst. He currently writes from Abuja, Nigeria.