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<p>By Abduljalil Hassan Muhammad</p>
<p>The defining objective of terrorism is the destabilisation of the state. Terrorists accomplish this by attacking citizens, sowing fear, and creating a pervasive sense of insecurity. Their calculated strategy seeks to make the populace question the government’s ability to protect them. When this doubt deepens, it weakens the social contract, nurtures lawlessness, and pushes the nation toward failure, the ultimate goal of terrorist groups everywhere. Their motivations may differ, from extremist ideologies to separatist ambitions, but their core method is the same: violence, intimidation, and psychological warfare.</p>
<p>Nigeria’s experience is a classic illustration of this phenomenon. Since the early 2000s and with a dangerous escalation from 2009 onward, the country has confronted multiple insurgencies. The most devastating has been Boko Haram and its offshoots, primarily in the Northeast. At their peak between 2011 and 2014, these groups killed, maimed, and abducted at unprecedented levels. Estimates by the Council on Foreign Relations put the death toll above 350,000, with millions displaced. Entire communities in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa were wiped out, many of which remain deserted today.</p><div class="fja2sKE3" style="clear:both;float:left;width:100%;margin:0 0 20px 0;"><script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

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<p>This crisis has since mutated. In the Northwest and segments of the Northcentral, “bandits”, many evolving from cattle‐rustling networks, have entrenched terror through mass kidnappings, including the infamous abductions in Kankara (over 300 boys) and Kuriga (over 280 pupils). These groups impose illegal levies on villages and hold entire populations hostage. Meanwhile, in the Southeast, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militant wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has enforced a violent Monday sit-at-home order, crippling economic activity and resurrecting a war-era siege mentality.</p>
<p>The Nigerian state has responded by deploying the military across multiple fronts. Major operations include Operation Hadin Kai in the Northeast, confronting Boko Haram and ISWAP; Operation Hadarin Daji in the Northwest, tackling banditry; and Operation Whirl Stroke in the Northcentral, countering militia and farmer-herder crises. In the South South, Operation Delta Safe protects vital oil infrastructure, while Operation Udo Ka addresses separatist violence in the Southeast. Beyond its borders, Nigeria also works with regional partners through the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to combat terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin.</p>
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<p>Yet despite these substantial efforts, the threat persists. And in some regions, it worsens. A major but often overlooked factor is our own complicity as citizens in amplifying the terrorists’ message. Whether out of ignorance, partisanship, or naive sentiment, many Nigerians inadvertently aid the very forces that seek to destroy our country.</p>
<p>How We Unwittingly Amplify Terrorism</p>
<p>Sensationalist Media Practices</p>
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<p>While mainstream media have generally avoided graphic content, their reporting often prioritises sensationalism over national responsibility. Coverage of attacks such as the 17 November 2025 ambush that killed Brigadier General M. Uba, frequently highlights the “success” of terrorists while underreporting the military’s response or the heroism of fallen officers. The race to break news sometimes overrides verification, resulting in unconfirmed claims reaching the public, as seen in false reports of military base takeovers in Borno, later debunked by defence authorities.</p>
<p>Reckless “Investigations” by Blogs and Social Media</p>
<p>Local blogs and social platforms, desperate for attention, have become loudspeakers for terrorist propaganda. Outlets like Peoples Gazette and Sahara Reporters often skirt ethical boundaries by publishing detailed accounts that serve the terrorists’ psychological strategy. Worse, ordinary social media users actively share execution videos and propaganda clips, unwittingly becoming unpaid agents of terror. This behaviour traumatises citizens, demoralises troops, and strengthens the terrorists’ psychological grip.</p>
<p>Dangerous Rhetoric from Influencers and Leaders</p>
<p>Some influential voices, from religious figures to social media personalities, provide moral justification for terrorism. Clerics like Sheikh Ahmad Gumi have repeatedly framed banditry as a “cry of the oppressed,” advocating amnesty for violent criminals. Certain commentators describe military operations in the Southeast as “genocide,” while minimising the brutal enforcement of sit-at-home orders by IPOB/ESN. Such rhetoric creates false equivalence between violent non-state actors and the legitimate security forces tasked with protecting citizens.</p>
<p>Indiscriminate Sharing by Citizens</p>
<p>A heartbreaking example is the circulating video of Brigadier General M. Uba’s killing. Despite the clear psychological intent behind ISWAP’s release of the footage, many Nigerians shared it widely on WhatsApp, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). Motivated by curiosity or a misguided sense of “awareness,” these citizens unintentionally became amplifiers of terrorism. By sharing such content, they terrorise the public, dishonour the fallen, and hand terrorists the publicity they crave.</p>
<p>Counterproductive Government Actions</p>
<p>Some government decisions also strengthen the terrorists’ hand. In attempts to secure temporary peace, several state governments have negotiated with or paid ransoms to terrorists. Former Zamfara Governor Bello Matawalle admitted to paying bandits, while former Kaduna Governor Nasir El Rufai disclosed that another Northwest governor paid millions to criminal groups. These actions finance the acquisition of deadlier weapons and embolden terrorists.<br />
At the federal level, the De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration programme for “repentant” terrorists faces public scepticism. When victims still grieve and displaced communities remain unrepaired, reintegrating former Boko Haram fighters under “Operation Safe Corridor” can appear unjust, feeding public frustration and weakening trust.</p>
<p>In Conclusion, the fight against terrorism is not only a battle of guns but a battle of narratives. Every unverified rumour we spread, every propaganda video we forward, every attempt to justify terrorist brutality, and every careless comment that undermines our military strengthens the enemy. We become unwilling accomplices in the erosion of our own national security.</p>
<p>Nigeria’s survival requires a shift from passive consumption of information to active, patriotic vigilance. We must demand responsible journalism, hold public figures accountable for reckless rhetoric, and criticise policies that empower violent groups. Our collective resilience is the most effective weapon against terror. By refusing to amplify fear and division, we deprive terrorists of their most potent tool.</p>
<p>The bravery of our soldiers on the frontlines must be matched by the wisdom and discipline of citizens at home. The defence of Nigeria is a shared responsibility, and the war against terror will be won not only by bullets, but by the choices we make every day.</p>
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