Military strikes alone can’t end terrorism — Gbenga Hashim

By Luminous Jannamike

Former presidential candidate Gbenga Hashim has warned that Nigeria cannot defeat insurgency through military operations alone, saying the country must confront the poverty, unemployment and social breakdown fuelling violent extremism.

Hashim spoke after the reported killing of senior Islamic State commander Abu Bilal al-Minuki in a joint operation involving the United States and the Nigerian Armed Forces, saying the operation showed the kind of results possible when international intelligence and military coordination work effectively.

In a statement on Saturday, Hashim said the operation reinforced long-standing warnings that extremist groups in Nigeria were pursuing ambitions similar to the Islamic State’s attempts to establish territorial enclaves in conflict zones.

“For over five years, we have consistently advocated for this level of collaboration. This operation underscores what can be achieved when global partners work together sincerely,” he said.

While commending the operation, Hashim warned against treating the killing of senior insurgent figures as a complete answer to Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.

“Nigeria’s counter-terrorism approach must go beyond periodic strikes. It must be deliberate, sustained and focused on eliminating terrorism at its roots,” he stated.

He said military offensives targeting top commanders often leave rural communities exposed to retaliatory attacks by armed groups.

Hashim described the scale of insecurity across the country as alarming, claiming that more than 18,000 Nigerians had been killed by terrorism and related violence within the past three years.

According to him, widespread poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and social deprivation continue to create conditions easily exploited by extremist organisations, particularly among vulnerable young people in Northern Nigeria.

Warning about the long-term danger posed by Nigeria’s out-of-school population, Hashim said more than 18 million children remained vulnerable to indoctrination and recruitment by terror groups.

“Addressing terrorism requires not just military action, but strong governance capable of confronting the socio-economic realities that sustain violent extremism,” he added.

Hashim further argued that only decisive, uncompromising leadership could implement a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy capable of restoring peace and stability across the country.

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