Former media aide to late President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, has warned that the recent bombing of a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, could be wrongly explained in the future as an attack by Muslims against Christians in northern Nigeria.
Ahmad made the statement while reacting to the bombing that occurred on Christmas Eve in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The attack happened at a Juma’at mosque in Gamboru Ward, around the Customs area, during the Maghrib prayer.
According to reports, suspected Boko Haram insurgents detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) while worshippers were inside the mosque observing prayers. The attack caused panic in the area and added to ongoing security concerns in the state.
Reacting to the incident in a post on social media platform X, Bashir Ahmad said that although the victims were Muslims praying in a mosque, the incident may be wrongly narrated in the coming years as an example of Muslims killing Christians in the North.
“In the near future, perhaps two or three years from now, this attack on Muslim faithful praying in a Mosque will likely be narrated as evidence of Muslims killing Christians in the North,” Ahmad wrote.
He said such a narrative would not happen by accident but would be the result of how some media organisations present stories today. According to him, false reporting and lack of proper context can shape public understanding in a misleading way.
“That outcome would not be accidental. It would be the direct result of how some major media outlets chose to deliberately manipulate the story to suit and oil a prevailing narrative,” he added.
Ahmad specifically accused some media houses of focusing more on sensational headlines rather than facts. He warned that when stories are reported without full context, misinformation can become accepted as truth over time.
“When facts are twisted, contexts erased, and headlines engineered for engagement rather than truth, today’s misinformation becomes tomorrow’s so-called historical record,” he said.
He further warned that such false narratives are often used later to deepen division and fuel tension among different groups in the country.
“This is how false narratives are built, sustained and eventually weaponized, long after the truth has been buried under sensationalism,” Ahmad added.
The bombing has once again drawn attention to the long-running Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State and the wider North-East region. For over a decade, the group has carried out attacks on civilians, security personnel, places of worship, markets, and public buildings.
Although Boko Haram initially claimed to be fighting Western education and government influence, its attacks have largely affected ordinary Nigerians, including Muslims and Christians. Mosques, churches, and traditional institutions have all been targeted at different times.
Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, has been at the centre of the insurgency since it started. While security conditions have improved compared to the early years of the conflict, occasional attacks still occur, especially through suicide bombings and IEDs.
The Christmas Eve timing of the attack has also raised concern, as religious periods are often sensitive times that require heightened security. Authorities have not yet released full details of casualties from the mosque bombing.
Bashir Ahmad’s comments have sparked debate on social media, with some users agreeing with his concerns about media reporting, while others argue that journalists face pressure to report breaking news quickly.
Media organisations named in Ahmad’s post have not officially responded to his claims. However, Nigerian media bodies have often defended their work, saying they strive to report events accurately under difficult conditions.
Nigeria has a long history of tension linked to religion and ethnicity, especially when violence is involved. Analysts say that how incidents are reported can either calm public emotions or worsen existing divisions.
The Federal Government has also, in the past, urged the media to report security issues responsibly, warning that misinformation can affect national unity and security operations.
At the same time, journalists argue that transparency and public access to information are essential, especially when lives are lost.
Bashir Ahmad, who served as a digital media aide during President Buhari’s administration, is known for his strong opinions on national issues, especially media coverage and public communication. His comments often attract wide attention online.
During Buhari’s time in office, the government faced criticism over insecurity, particularly in the North-East and North-West. The administration maintained that it made progress against Boko Haram, though attacks did not completely stop.
The latest bombing has renewed calls for improved intelligence gathering and better protection of public places, including mosques and churches.
Residents of Maiduguri have continued to live with the impact of the insurgency, even as rebuilding efforts and military operations continue. Many families have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods over the years.
As Nigeria continues to face security challenges, observers say unity, careful reporting, and factual storytelling are critical. They warn that spreading incorrect narratives, whether intentional or not, can damage trust and worsen divisions.
Bashir Ahmad’s warning highlights a broader concern about how history is shaped by today’s reports. His message, supporters say, is a call for journalists, commentators, and the public to be careful with facts and context.