EFFORTS OF MEDIA IN SOLVING THE MENACE OF TERRORISM IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF ISLAMIC PROPAGATION IN RADIO KOGI OCHAJA

Abstract

Terrorism remains one of the most pressing security challenges confronting Nigeria, particularly as extremist ideologies have fueled violence, insecurity, and socio-religious instability. While extensive attention has been given to military responses, the role of the media in countering terrorism has not been sufficiently emphasized. This study examines the contribution of Radio Kogi Ochaja to combating terrorism through Islamic propagation and peace-oriented programming. The population of the study comprised regular listeners of Radio Kogi Ochaja within Kogi East and other neighbouring parts of Kogi State, while the sample consisted of twenty-five (25) purposively selected participants, including listeners, Islamic scholars, and program presenters. Data were collected using an interview guide and documentary review checklist, and the sampling technique adopted was purposive sampling to target individuals with direct knowledge of the station’s Islamic-based counter-terrorism programming.  Using qualitative content analysis supported by historical and secondary evidence, findings reveal that Radio Kogi Ochaja has served as a vital social institution for enlightening listeners, correcting religious misconceptions, debunking extremist rhetoric, and promoting counter-terrorism education in rural communities. Results further indicate that the station’s faith-based programs promote psychological stability, strengthen communal resilience, and provide an alternative narrative that challenges extremist interpretations of Islam. The study concludes that media platforms, when properly utilized, possess the power to reshape public perception, undermine terrorist influence, and complement national efforts toward sustainable peace and security. Based on these findings, the study recommends the following: (1) the expansion of faith-based media programs to reach more rural communities vulnerable to extremist influence; (2) sustained government and private-sector support to enhance the operational capacity of community radio stations; (3) continuous training of religious broadcasters on counter-terror messaging and peace communication; and (4) integration of community media into formal counter-terrorism policy frameworks. These recommendations highlight the need for a multidimensional approach in which media, religious institutions, and state actors collaborate to achieve long-term stability in Nigeria.