Redefining journalism’s role in addressing the wave of banditry in Nigeria: Solutions journalism to the rescue?

Banditry is one of the security challenges bedevilling Nigeria as a country. Kidnapping for ransoms, killings, rapping, cross-border arms deals and attacks on military formations are some of the methods of the bandits’ operations. Such security breaches seem to have defied solutions as they escalate daily. This paper leverages the framing theory of the media which pertains to how the media packages and presents information to the public. The analytical method which involves critical evaluation of existing information was deployed to examine the prevailing media reportorial pattern of bandits’ activities. Evidence indicates strict adherence to traditional journalism of highlighting conflict-oriented frames without including how they are solved. Thus, the paper calls for solution journalism, which entails expanding frames to incorporate proof of involvement, the remedy to a problem or evidence of intervention. Key Words: Banditry, Redefining, Rescue, Solution journalism. About the Author * Titilayo Remilekun Osuagwu, Ph.D., is of the Department of Broadcasting, Faculty of Communication & Media Studies, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 18, No. 1, Special Issue 4, January 2026, pp. 77-85. © Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON). Article Citation Osuagwu, T. R. (2026). Redefining journalism’s role in addressing the wave of banditry in Nigeria: Solutions journalism to the rescue? Journal of Communication and Media Research, 18 (1, SP.4): 77-85. Full Article Words: 5,424 Pages: 9 To access full article, click on download.