Dr Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District at the National Assembly says Nigeria’s fight against insurgency will remain ineffective unless citizens see themselves as active participants in the national security effort.
In a statement he signed on Friday, Ibrahim said patriotism expressed through trust, cooperation and collective vigilance is a stronger tool than aggression in tackling identity-driven conflicts.
He noted that the war against terrorism cannot be waged by the military alone, stressing that public commitment is as crucial as any tactical or operational strategy.
According to him, insurgents exploit social divisions and only a united population can deny them the support they rely on.
Ibrahim explained that modern warfare increasingly depends on Civil-Military Operations designed to build credibility and trust within affected communities.
He said the attitudes of local populations often influence 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 stated.
He cautioned that excessive use of force without community engagement could alienate civilians and provide insurgents with propaganda material for recruitment.
Global experience, he added, shows that public trust is often more decisive than firepower.
The senator urged Nigerians to deepen their love for the country, noting that patriotism strengthens national resilience against internal threats and external interference.
We shall overcome but only if we act together and put the country first,” he said