Former presidential candidate Gbenga Hashim has called for a more comprehensive and coordinated counter-terrorism strategy following 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.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Hashim described the operation as evidence of the effectiveness of genuine international cooperation in the fight against global terrorism.
“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.
Hashim said he had repeatedly warned that terrorist elements in Nigeria were pursuing the objective of establishing an ISIS-style enclave in parts of Northern Nigeria, and that the latest operation validated those concerns.
While commending the joint military action, he cautioned against relying solely on the elimination of high-profile terror leaders as a long-term security strategy. He noted that such operations often leave rural communities exposed to retaliatory attacks.
“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.
Hashim described the scale of insecurity in the country as alarming, citing reports that more than 18,000 Nigerians had lost their lives to terrorism and related violence in the last three years.
He identified extreme poverty, social deprivation, unemployment, and mass illiteracy as major drivers of insecurity, warning that Nigeria’s estimated 18 million out-of-school children remain highly vulnerable to extremist recruitment.
“Addressing terrorism requires not just military action, but strong governance capable of confronting the socio-economic realities that sustain violent extremism,” Hashim said.
He stressed that only patriotic, decisive, and uncompromised leadership could effectively implement a comprehensive counter-terrorism programme to restore peace and stability across the country.
