Attacks in the North Were Blamed on Bandits;But Attack in Anambra Was Pointed to Unknown Gunmen- Shehu Sani
Senator Shehu Sani has criticised what he describes as inconsistent media labeling of violent attacks across Nigeria, faulting the tendency to use selective descriptions depending on the region affected. In a post shared on his official X handle on Monday, December 8th, 2025, the former Kaduna lawmaker drew attention to how similar crimes are reported differently in the North and the South-East.
Sani noted that when violent incidents occur in northern states, attackers are immediately identified as “Bandits” or “Terrorists,” a naming pattern he considers straightforward and accurate. However, he argued that when similar acts happen in parts of the South-East, particularly Anambra State, the media commonly resorts to vague descriptions such as “armed assailants,” “hoodlums,” “gunmen,” or “unknown gunmen.”
His comments followed a recent deadly incident in Anambra, where an attack on a church reportedly claimed two lives and resulted in buildings being set ablaze. According to Sani, despite the severity of the event, media reports avoided definitive classifications.
He described both cases as the same murderous act and criminality, calling attention to what he considers a double standard in media reportage. The senator suggested that such selective language may contribute to confusion, weaken accountability, and hinder efforts to tackle insecurity uniformly across Nigeria.
Sani’s remarks reflect persistent national debates over security narratives, regional sentiment, and how language impacts public perception and counterterrorism strategies.
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