THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST TERRORISM IN OSUN STATE.

In Nigeria’s digital era, social media has transformed the landscape of communication and information exchange, connecting citizens across urban and rural communities in real time. Platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube have become vital arenas for political discourse, activism, news sharing, and national security engagement. As the country continues to face serious security threats from terrorist groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), social media has emerged as both a strategic tool and a potential risk in counter-terrorism communication. On one hand, government agencies, journalists, and citizens use these platforms to raise awareness, share intelligence, and counter misinformation. On the other hand, extremist groups exploit the same spaces for propaganda, recruitment, and psychological manipulation. This study examines the dual role of social media as both an enabler of security communication and a channel for extremist influence. It highlights the importance of effective digital strategies, responsible journalism, and public media literacy in managing this complex landscape. The paper argues that understanding social media’s double-edged nature is crucial to strengthening Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts and promoting safer, more informed digital engagement.