A civil society organisation, Peace, Security Focus Group, has reechoed the call by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, urging residents of Borno and Yobe states to work closely with the military in the fight against terrorism.
The group said the appeal by the Defence Chief underscores the urgent need for stronger collaboration between civilians and security forces to defeat insurgency in the North-East.
Speaking at a community forum in Maiduguri on Thursday, the Convener of the group, Ismail Mohammed, said the call by Gen. Oluyede is both timely and critical, given the evolving tactics of insurgents who often blend into local communities.
He stressed that the military alone cannot win the war without the active support of residents, noting that intelligence from locals remains one of the most effective tools in tracking and dismantling terrorist networks.
“For too long, insurgents have taken advantage of fear and silence within communities. The Chief of Defence Staff has made it clear that this fight requires the cooperation of everyone.
Residents must rise to the occasion and support our troops with credible and timely information,” he said.
Mohammed noted that troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have continued to demonstrate commitment and sacrifice in protecting lives and property, but require community backing to sustain recent gains.
“The military is doing its part, but the people must also do theirs. When communities work hand-in-hand with security forces, insurgents lose the space to operate. That is the only way we can achieve lasting peace,” he added.
He warned that failure to heed the Defence Chief’s call could prolong insecurity and further damage the region’s already fragile economy.
“Every act of terrorism affects our farmers, traders, and young people. If we do not support the military as advised, we risk deepening poverty and slowing down recovery efforts across the North-East,”he said.
The CSO urged residents to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and actively support local security initiatives, including vigilante groups collaborating with the military.
“Reechoing the Defence Chief’s message, your cooperation is not optional—it is essential. Silence only emboldens the enemy, but collective action will defeat them,” he stressed.
He concluded by calling on communities to take ownership of their safety and future, emphasizing that peace in the region depends on unity and shared responsibility.
“This is our land and our future. By standing with the Armed Forces and heeding the call of Gen. Oluyede, we can secure our communities and rebuild our economy for generations to come,” he said.
