Curbing terrorism with UK support

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for stronger partnership with the United Kingdom (UK) to tackle terrorism and promote regional stability in West Africa. The President made the call while speaking at a state banquet held in his honour at Windsor Castle during his recent visit to the UK. He emphasised the need for bilateral cooperation in ensuring security and stability of the sub-region and the continent. Tinubu attributed the growing security challenges to the uncertainties in the Sahel region.

The President said: “Our West African region faces complex terrorism challenges with roots in the Sahel. Nigeria carries an enormous responsibility to help safeguard regional stability. In confronting these threats, partnership with the United Kingdom remains essential.” The collaboration, he said, is necessary given decades-long historical ties between Nigeria and Britain that are manifested in shared history, culture, and institutions.

Apart from the UK, Tinubu had made similar requests from France and Turkey. This underscores the enormity of Nigeria’s security challenges. Terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and insurgency constitute the greatest danger to Nigeria’s economic development and stability. In addition to loss of life and property, activities of terrorists have led to displacement of people and disruption in social life, economic activities, such as agriculture, trade, and commerce, leading to reduced productivity and drop in foreign direct investment (FDI) profile.

Data from the International Organisation for Migration Displacement Tracking Matrix (IOMDTR), the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), humanitarian agencies and government officials, indicated that Nigeria currently has an estimated 3,725,593 internally displaced persons (IDPs) across 3,900 camps and settlements nationwide. The figure may be higher than this.

Most of the inmates of the IDPs are victims of insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, farmer-herder conflicts in the North-Central, and communal clashes in parts of the South. Since the emergence of Boko Haram and its murderous engagements, community and social activities of Nigerians in some parts of the country have been disrupted, with many lives lost.

Other terrorist groups have joined in the campaigns, making life difficult. Before the President left for Britain, suicide bombers struck in Maiduguri, Borno State capital on March 16, detonated explosives at the Maiduguri Monday Market, the Post Office Flyover area, and the security post at the entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. At least 23 people were killed in the explosions and more than 100 others injured.

On Sunday, March 29, several residents were also killed in an attack on Angwan Rukuba in Jos North LGA of Plateau State. The victims were said to have come under sporadic gunfire from armed men. More than 20 residents were confirmed dead in the incident, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries. A week earlier, bandits invaded an ECWA Church in Omugo community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State and abducted some worshippers.

On Tuesday, January 6, suspected armed herders invaded Udeku Maav-Ya community, Mbakyol Council Ward, Turan District of Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State and killed five farmers. The attack occurred while residents were harvesting yams on their farmlands. The same day, five personnel of National Park Service office at Oloka Village in the Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State, were killed by gunmen. Both attacks came barely a week after terrorists killed over 42 persons in Niger State.

A 2025 Report by ‘Agramondis Research and Consulting,’ a Nigerian Research Firm, indicated that Nigeria’s worsening insecurity accounted for about €4.1billion of economic loss and a corresponding 40 per cent of deaths in livestock, especially cattle, sheep, and goats, across the country. The consequences included reduction in food production, rising food prices, dwindling rural income and imminent threats to national food security.

The situation cannot be allowed to continue. Tinubu’s request for assistance from the UK is in order. There is need for regional approach to combating terrorism. Terrorism is ideological and entails the use of violence against non-combatants to achieve political or ideological goals. The agenda is to instill fear, spread insecurity and render victims vulnerable. Nigeria’s envisaged collaboration with the UK and others will immensely help to tackle the growing insecurity across the country.

However, it needs to be emphasised that security of life and property of citizens remains the primary function of the government. As encouraging as collaboration with other countries in the fight against terrorism is, Nigeria cannot out-source its duty of protecting its citizens to another country. The government should also look inwards for solution to the problem. The procured equipment for the war against terrorism should be adequately deployed. Let the President prioritise good governance and fulfill his promises to Nigerians.