Nigeria must adopt whole-of-society approach to end escalating insecurity – Air Chief
By: Zagazola Makama
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has attributed the recent escalation in terrorist attacks and resurgence of insecurity in some parts of the country to the absence of a holistic, non-kinetic strategy to address the root causes of insurgency.
Abubakar, who made this known at a media parley in Abuja, said that despite ongoing military operations, long-term peace would remain elusive unless the country embraced a “whole-of-government and whole-of-society” approach to security.
He was responding to concerns over the recent surge in fatalities due to insecurity across the country in the past three months.
“Yes, we have noticed that quite a few Nigerians have lost their lives recently. It’s a complex environment. And the truth is, insurgencies are not solved by the military alone. They take a very long time to address, and the solution lies largely outside kinetic operations,” he said.
Citing empirical studies, Abubakar said only 25 per cent of internal security issues can be resolved through the use of force, while 70 to 75 per cent depend on non-kinetic measures such as governance, education, economic development, and deradicalisation programmes.
“This is based on global research across several conflict zones. Without addressing the root causes poverty, marginalisation, unemployment we will continue to see resurgence in violence, even after military victories,” he warned.
The Air Chief said recent examples in the Northeast showed how temporary gains could be lost if civilian governance structures fail to follow up with necessary interventions.
“In 2023, the Northeast theatre was relatively quiet, and we redeployed more resources to the Northwest. But now, the Northeast is showing signs of resurgence again. That tells you the problem is deeper than firepower,” he said.
He also explained that NAF has taken steps to improve civil-military relations through medical outreach, educational interventions, and quick-impact projects in communities across affected regions.
“But we can only do so much. This is why we have been engaging with state governors and community leaders to emphasise that sustainable peace requires more than airstrikes,” he added.
Abubakar concluded by calling for unity and collaborative effort across all sectors government, traditional institutions, civil society, and the media to rebuild trust and restore lasting peace.
