“Terrorism fight must go beyond killing insurgent leaders” – Ex-presidential candidate tells FG

Former presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has declared that the reported killing of Abu Bilal al-Minuki, a senior Islamic State commander, validates concerns about the expansionist agenda of terrorist groups operating in northern Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Olawepo-Hashim urged the Federal government to adopt a broader and more coordinated counter-terrorism strategy.

The former presidential candidate described the joint operation by United States and Nigerian military forces as evidence of the gains of international cooperation in combating terrorism.

His words: “For over five years, we have consistently advocated for this level of collaboration. This operation underscores what can be achieved when global partners work together sincerely.”

Olawepo-Hashim said he had repeatedly warned that terrorist groups in Nigeria were pursuing the objective of establishing an ISIS-style enclave in parts of the north.

He added that the reported killing of the insurgent commander had vindicated those fears. While commending the operation involving the United States and the Nigerian armed forces, he cautioned against relying solely on targeted military strikes.

“Nigeria’s counter-terrorism approach must go beyond periodic strikes. It must be deliberate, sustained, and focused on eliminating terrorism at its roots,” he said.

The former presidential candidate warned that such operations sometimes expose rural communities to retaliatory attacks by insurgents.

Olawepo-Hashim described the country’s security situation as alarming, claiming that more than 18,000 Nigerians had been killed by terrorism and related violence in the last three years.

He identified poverty, unemployment, social deprivation and mass illiteracy as major drivers of insecurity.

The former presidential candidate also warned that more than 18 million out-of-school children in Nigeria remain vulnerable to recruitment by extremist groups.

“Addressing terrorism requires not just military action, but strong governance capable of confronting the socio-economic realities that sustain violent extremism,” he said.

Nigeria has battled insurgency for more than a decade, especially in the north-east, where groups linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have carried out attacks on communities, military formations and public infrastructure.