A peace advocate, Rafiu Lawal, says Nigeria’s evolving security challenges highlight the limits of military force and underscore the urgent need for non-kinetic and collective approaches.

Mr Lawal, the executive director of the Building Blocks for Peace Foundation, said this in Abuja on Thursday.

He said that while military operations had recorded gains in some areas, the persistence of banditry, terrorism, and communal conflicts showed that force alone could not guarantee lasting peace.

According to him, insecurity in parts of the North-West, North-East, and North-Central reflects deep-rooted socio-economic and governance challenges.

“Military action is necessary, but it is not sufficient. The nature of insecurity we face today requires a broader, more inclusive response. If we do not address poverty, unemployment, injustice, and weak governance, these security threats will continue to regenerate,” he said.

Mr Lawal noted that despite significant investments in security operations over the years, new threats and criminal networks continued to emerge.

He said this trend pointed to the need for preventive strategies built on social investment and community engagement.

“We must begin to prioritise human security. That means investing in education, livelihoods, healthcare, and food systems. These are not just development issues; they are critical to national security,” he said.

Mr Lawal emphasised that addressing insecurity required coordinated efforts involving government, civil society, traditional institutions, the media, and local communities.

He said community trust and participation remained essential for intelligence gathering and conflict prevention.

“Security cannot be achieved by the government alone. It requires the cooperation of citizens and institutions at all levels,” he said.

Mr Lawal also identified corruption and weak institutions as major obstacles to effective security management. He urged authorities to improve transparency, strengthen governance systems, and ensure prudent use of public resources.

“Where governance is weak, insecurity thrives. Strengthening institutions is as important as deploying troops,” he said.

Mr Lawal expressed optimism that Nigeria could reverse current trends if it adopted a more balanced and people-centred security strategy.

(NAN)