Senator representing Ondo South, Jimoh Ibrahim, CFR, has said Nigeria’s counter-insurgency efforts will continue to fall short unless citizens recognise themselves as active participants in the fight against terror.
Speaking with journalists at the Senate Southwest Security Summit in Lagos, Ibrahim — who holds a PhD in Modern War Studies — argued that national unity, trust and civic responsibility are stronger tools against identity-driven conflicts than sheer military aggression.
He stressed that the fight against insurgency cannot be left solely to the armed forces, noting that public support is as vital as battlefield strategy.
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“Insurgents exploit divisions. Only a united people can deny them the space and sympathy they seek,” he said.
Ibrahim explained that modern warfare increasingly depends on effective civil–military relations, which build credibility and trust within affected communities. Community sentiment, he noted, often determines whether terrorists gain influence or lose ground.
“You cannot win a war when the people are not emotionally aligned with the mission,” he added.
The senator warned that relying on excessive force without proper engagement can alienate civilians and strengthen insurgent propaganda. Global experience, he said, shows that public confidence is often more decisive than firepower.
He urged Nigerians to strengthen their commitment to the country, describing patriotism as a strategic asset in counter-terrorism operations. Taking national stability for granted, he cautioned, only widens gaps that extremists can exploit.
Ibrahim listed intelligence sharing, vigilance and community support as essential tools in defeating terrorism, saying Nigeria would overcome its security challenges only if government, security agencies and citizens work in concert.
“We shall overcome,” he said, “but only if we act together and put the country first.”
He also thanked the Senate for backing his motion for a National Security Summit across the six geo-political zones and for setting up an ad hoc committee to drive the process.
“Our country shall be safe after the learning curve,” he added.
