Nigeria’s battle against insurgency, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of insecurity is a national challenge that transcends political affiliations, ethnic identities, religious sentiments, and partisan interests. Criminals do not ask for party membership cards before attacking communities, killing soldiers, abducting schoolchildren, or destroying lives and property. Therefore, insecurity should never be weaponized as a propaganda tool by opposition politicians or political parties seeking political advantage.
The primary concern of every patriotic Nigerian should be how to defeat these criminal elements and restore peace across the country. Rather than exploiting security failures to score political points, citizens, politicians, civil society groups, traditional institutions, religious leaders, and the media should collectively contribute ideas, intelligence, and practical solutions that can help security agencies succeed in their mission.
Nigeria has witnessed this dangerous trend before. During the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls and the territorial expansion of Boko Haram became major political issues. Opposition politicians, supported by sections of the media, mounted sustained campaigns against the government, with some openly calling on the President to resign. The security crisis became one of the factors that contributed to Jonathan’s eventual defeat at the polls.
Today, more than a decade later, the reality is that insecurity has not disappeared. In many respects, it has evolved and expanded. Schoolchildren continue to be abducted. Communities are still attacked and displaced. Military formations and barracks have come under assault. Senior military officers have lost their lives in the line of duty. From the North-East to the North-West and other parts of the country, Nigerians continue to grapple with the devastating consequences of violent criminality.
This reality should teach us an important lesson: insecurity is not a partisan problem. It is a national problem. Governments may change, but terrorism and criminality remain threats to all Nigerians. Those who once criticized previous administrations now face the same challenge of protecting lives and property. The focus, therefore, should not be on assigning political blame but on finding sustainable solutions.
Equally concerning is the growing tendency of some individuals to act as advocates or apologists for terrorists and insurgents, often viewing the fight against these criminals through religious, ethnic, or political lenses. Such attitudes weaken national resolve and undermine security efforts. Terrorists do not discriminate in their attacks. They kill Muslims and Christians, northerners and southerners, civilians and security personnel alike. There can be no justification for defending or sympathizing with those who wage war against innocent citizens.
Questions also continue to arise regarding policies of rehabilitation and reintegration of former insurgents. Many Nigerians understandably wonder whether individuals who once took up arms against the state should be integrated into society without sufficient assurances that they have genuinely renounced violence. These concerns become even more significant when discussions emerge about recruiting rehabilitated former terrorists into security structures. National security requires the highest levels of trust, loyalty, and integrity. Any policy in this area must be approached with extreme caution and transparency to maintain public confidence.
At the same time, security agencies must strengthen their relationship with the public. Effective intelligence gathering depends heavily on citizens’ cooperation. Unfortunately, many Nigerians remain reluctant to share critical information because of fears that their identities may be exposed, or that they may face harassment instead of protection. Building trust between security institutions and local communities is therefore essential. Citizens who provide intelligence should be protected, respected, and encouraged.
The fight against insecurity cannot be won by the military and security agencies alone. It requires a whole-of-society approach. Every Nigerian with useful information or innovative ideas should be encouraged to share them with relevant authorities. Community leaders, youth groups, religious organizations, and local vigilante networks must work in synergy with security agencies while respecting the rule of law.
The time has come for Nigerians to collectively say, “Enough is enough.” Terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping should not be viewed through partisan, ethnic, or religious prisms. Criminals are criminals, regardless of their background. Our collective energy should be directed toward supporting efforts to eliminate these threats, protecting our security personnel, strengthening intelligence networks, and restoring peace to every corner of the country.
Only through unity, vigilance, and a shared commitment to national security can Nigeria finally overcome the scourge of insecurity and build a safer future for all.
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