CSOs Urge Government, Military to Tackle Root Causes of Terrorism Amid Rising Insecurity
CSOs Urge Government, Military to Tackle Root Causes of Terrorism Amid Rising Insecurity
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have urged the Nigerian government and military leadership to address the root causes of terrorism, including rampant poverty, inequality, porous borders, corruption, and inefficiencies in defense spending.
The CSOs emphasized the need to focus on disrupting terrorist funding and logistics networks rather than targeting civil society groups. They called for improved intelligence gathering and operational capacity to ensure the protection of lives and property.
Highlighting the role of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in promoting peace and development, the CSOs stressed the importance of constructive engagement to address insecurity. They noted that civil society is essential in implementing the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and addressing grievances that fuel terrorism and extremism.
Their demands come in response to inflammatory claims made by a former Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of the Nigerian Air Force. In a January 16, 2025 article published by Vanguard Newspapers, the ex-officer accused NGOs operating in the North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions of supporting and funding terrorism.
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The CSOs strongly condemned these allegations, warning that such baseless claims could endanger humanitarian workers and worsen the security crisis. They reiterated that globally recognized counter-terrorism strategies rely on the involvement of a vibrant and active civil society.
“Effective counter-terrorism efforts require collaboration, transparency, and a focus on addressing systemic issues fueling insecurity,” they stated.
