The Senator representing Ondo South at the National Assembly, Jimoh Ibrahim, has warned that the country’s fight against insurgency will remain limited unless citizens actively see themselves as stakeholders in national security.
Speaking at the Senate South-West Security Summit in Lagos on Friday, Ibrahim, a PhD holder in Modern War Studies, argued that patriotism expressed through trust, cooperation, and collective vigilance is more decisive than firepower in tackling identity-driven conflicts.
“The war against insurgency cannot be left to the military alone. You cannot win a war when the people are not emotionally aligned with the mission of that war,” he said in a statement shared with Saturday PUNCH.
The senator stressed that insurgents thrive on societal divisions, stating that only a united population can deny them the support they seek.
He highlighted the importance of civil-military operations, which build credibility and legitimacy within affected communities, noting that local populations often determine whether terrorists gain sympathy or lose influence.
Ibrahim cautioned that reliance on excessive force without civilian engagement risks alienating communities and handing insurgents a ready-made narrative for recruitment and propaganda. Drawing lessons from global experience, he said, public trust was often more decisive than military might.
The lawmaker urged Nigerians to deepen their love for the country, stressing that patriotism strengthens national resilience against internal threats and foreign interference.
He described unity as strategic, not symbolic, and essential for successful counter-terrorism operations.
Ibrahim also warned against complacency, noting that insecurity flourishes where citizens detach themselves from national security efforts.
“Intelligence sharing, vigilance, and community support are critical tools in defeating terrorism,” he said.
Expressing optimism, Ibrahim affirmed that Nigeria could overcome its security challenges only if the government, security agencies, and citizens work together.
“We shall overcome,but only if we act together and put the country first,” he added.
