Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has praised the killing of ISIS commander Abu Bilal al-Minuki but warned that Nigeria must address poverty, unemployment and weak governance to defeat terrorism permanently. Reacting to the operation, Olawepo-Hashim said he had long warned about attempts by extremist groups to establish an ISIS linked territory within parts of Northern Nigeria. He commended […]
Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has praised the killing of ISIS commander Abu Bilal al-Minuki but warned that Nigeria must address poverty, unemployment and weak governance to defeat terrorism permanently.
Reacting to the operation, Olawepo-Hashim said he had long warned about attempts by extremist groups to establish an ISIS linked territory within parts of Northern Nigeria.
He commended both the Nigerian Armed Forces and the United States military for what he described as a successful joint operation against insurgents.
The former presidential candidate, however, cautioned the Federal Government against depending only on targeted military strikes to address the country’s security crisis.
According to him, attacks on insurgent leaders often trigger revenge assaults on rural communities already struggling with insecurity and displacement.
He argued that terrorism in Nigeria is fueled by poverty, unemployment, social inequality and the growing number of out of school children vulnerable to radicalisation.
Olawepo-Hashim stressed that defeating violent extremism requires good governance, economic reforms and social development alongside military operations.
He also called for stronger intelligence sharing and sustained collaboration with international partners to prevent terrorist groups from regrouping.