While the reported airstrikes and assurances from the Nigerian military sound encouraging, Nigerians have heard similar statements before.
Development Diaries reports that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) recently said its airstrikes eliminated over 40 terrorists at Musarram, within the Tumbuns (Islands) general area of Borno State, following credible intelligence of terrorists assembling on canoes with plans to launch attacks on the Baga and Fish Dam axis.
According to NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the successful operations were conducted on 15 January.
Tactical victories do not always translate into lasting safety for communities. The killing of over 40 terrorists is significant, but residents in conflict-affected areas will judge success not by numbers announced, but by whether attacks actually stop and people can live without fear.
The airstrikes at Musarram confirm that intelligence-led operations work. Acting on credible information before terrorists launched attacks likely saved lives around the Baga and Fish Dam axis.
But this raises a harder question for the Defence Headquarters, the Office of the National Security Advisor (NSA), and intelligence agencies. Why is such timely intelligence not consistently available across other terror hotspots?
Nigerians must now demand a system where early intelligence is routine, not exceptional. Beyond the battlefield, we as citizens should insist that authorities follow the money behind terror.
The Office of the NSA, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) must show concrete action against terror financing, fuel supply chains, ransom payments, illegal mining, and cross-border arms flows.
Killing fighters without cutting their funding only recycles violence. Until money routes are blocked, new fighters will always replace the dead.
At the community level, intelligence must be strengthened without fear. Nigerians should demand investment from the federal government and security agencies in civilian-led early warning systems, protection for whistleblowers, and trust-based intelligence gathering, especially in fishing, farming, and border communities that insurgents repeatedly exploit.
People will not share information if it puts their lives at risk or leads to retaliation.
Finally, accountability must be clear and measurable. State governors, especially in frontline states, must explain how their security votes support federal military operations. These funds cannot remain secret while communities suffer.
Photo source: NAF
