Nigeria’s Dilemma in the Face of Insurgency

Security is the wall that prevents disorder and the hedge that protects its citizens in every country. Ordinary people are vulnerable to storms they did not call upon when those barriers are shattered and that hedge is broken. Millions of people in Northern Nigeria are all too familiar with what it's like to live behind shattered walls. Highways are ablaze, villages are in ashes, and camps for the displaced are overflowing. The question remains: Where is the government at this trying time? The insurgency, which started in the Northeast, has been wreaking havoc throughout the Northwest, North Central, and beyond for more than ten years. Bandit organizations, militia herders, ISWAP factions, and Boko Haram have all left bloody and displaced tracks. Over 3 million Nigerians are presently internally displaced, the majority of them reside in Northern states, according to the UNHCR. Displacement, however, is only a symptom of the underlying issue, which is security institutions' difficulty—and even failure—in fulfilling their duty of protection.

The government, at different points, has declared victory. Various operations have been initiated, including Operation Whirl Stroke, Operation Safe Haven, and Operation Lafiya Dole. Real progress has been made—hostages have been freed, regions have been regained, and terrorist commanders have been neutralized. However, with every triumph that is proclaimed, another mass burial is dug, another route is closed, or another community is ambushed. Grief in the dirt, victories on paper. The sad reality at the core of this problem is that Nigeria's security infrastructure is overburdened, underfunded, and occasionally hacked. Although soldiers battle valiantly, morale suffers when supplies are limited, sacrifices are not acknowledged, and attacks occur repeatedly. Underpaid and ill-prepared, police personnel frequently show up at the scene after the blood has dried. Although intelligence is collected, it is not usually used immediately. And many ask, "Are we safe at all? "Some argue that there is collaboration, that those in positions of authority benefit from protracted hostilities. The wrong people get their hands on weapons. Suspects who have been arrested are occasionally unexpectedly freed. The public's lack of faith in security personnel is increasing. Villagers lose trust in the government and judicial system when they warn authorities about upcoming assaults and receive no reaction. Scripture forewarns of these times: "What can the righteous do when the foundations are destroyed?" Psalm 11:3.

However, there is still hope in Nigeria. History demonstrates that countries have regained resilience and trust in the face of much more serious security challenges. After being split apart by guerrillas and cartels, Colombia made investments in community partnerships, intelligence-driven enforcement, and reforms. Following the massacre, Rwanda reorganized its security forces and reinterpreted responsibility. Nigeria has to understand that insurgency cannot be resolved by military force alone; instead, firepower must coexist alongside governance, justice, and fairness. Three strategic imperatives are particularly noteworthy.

First, response must be guided by intelligence. Attackers' names and faces are frequently familiar to communities. However, it is unusual that this grassroots knowledge is turned into prompt preventive action. To close this gap, funding for technology, intelligence sharing, and community policing must be prioritized above bureaucratic hold-ups.

Second, being displaced cannot be a permanent condition. It was intended for internally displaced people (IDP) camps to be short-term havens rather than long-term depressing metropolises. The government must transition from aid to rehabilitation, offering safety for return, repairing farms and schools, and giving individuals who have been displaced their dignity back. Filling stomachs is insufficient if souls are left to linger in doubt.

Thirdly, responsibility needs to be more than just a slogan. Regardless of status, anyone who provide financial support, weapons, or protection from the law to rebels must be held accountable. If corruption and compromise are not addressed directly, Nigeria's war against terror will continue to be hamstrung. Scripture is straightforward: "The heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily" (Ecclesiastes 8:11). Justice delays simply give offenders more confidence.

Nevertheless, we must honor even as we critique. On the front lines, many volunteers, police officers, and soldiers have sacrificed their lives. Heaven knows how many will never be mentioned in our publications. "There is no greater love than this, where a person sacrifices his life for his friends" (John 15:13). We are reminded that Nigeria is not forgotten by their sacrifice. There is a role for the Church as well. We need to be watchmen, not just mourners. to bring healing where the government cannot, to demand responsibility without animosity, and to pray for leaders. With tools with one hand and prayer in the other, Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 4:17). Nigeria has to strike a balance between religion and strategy, prayer and policy, and change and boldness.

Although the insurgency has put this country's soul to the test, it has not destroyed it. Nigeria can yet be saved. Silent trumpets can resound and broken walls can be repaired. The God who said, "I will restore the fortunes of Jacob's tents and have compassion on his dwellings" (Jeremiah 30:18), is the land's hope, not only government buildings or military barracks. Thus, keep your inquiries meaningful.  Let the analysis be truthful. Above all, though, keep your faith unwavering. Because even if Nigeria's walls are damaged, they can still be fixed.