PATRIOTISM, NOT FIREPOWER, CRUCIAL IN FIGHT AGAINST INSURGENCY — JIMOH IBRAHIM

Nigeria’s fight against insurgency will remain an uphill battle unless citizens see themselves as active partners in national security, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim has warned.

In a statement released on Friday, the Ondo South lawmaker stressed that patriotism—demonstrated through trust, cooperation, and vigilance—is a more powerful weapon than aggression in tackling identity-driven conflicts. He underscored that the military cannot carry the fight alone, arguing that public commitment is as vital as any tactical operation.

“Insurgents exploit social divisions, and only a united population can deny them the support they rely on,” Ibrahim said.

The senator highlighted the role of Civil-Military Operations in modern warfare, which aim to build trust and credibility within affected communities. He added that the attitudes of local populations often decide whether terrorists gain sympathy or lose ground.

“You cannot win a war when the people are not emotionally aligned with the mission of that war,” he stressed.

Warning against excessive force without community engagement, Ibrahim said such strategies could alienate civilians and provide insurgents with propaganda for recruitment. Drawing from global experiences, he noted that public trust often proves more decisive than firepower.

Ibrahim called on Nigerians to deepen their love for the country, stressing that patriotism strengthens national resilience against both internal threats and external interference. Unity, he noted, is not symbolic but strategic in counter-insurgency operations, and complacency, he warned, is a fertile ground for insecurity.

He identified intelligence sharing, vigilance, and community support as key pillars in defeating terrorism, expressing optimism that the nation could overcome its security challenges if the government, security agencies, and the public act together.

“We shall overcome, but only if we act together and put the country first,” he affirmed.

The warnings come amid a fresh wave of attacks by bandits across the country. In Niger State, terrorists struck St. Mary’s School in Papiri Community, Agwara Local Government Area, abducting an unconfirmed number of students and staff. On Monday, gunmen raided the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Sakaba Local Government Area, whisking away 24 students, with one more girl later confirmed missing.