Terrorism does not survive on the heavily armed terrorists alone; it thrives on the invisible network that has sustained and protected it from within. Long before a village is attacked or a wealthy individual is kidnapped, the attack had long been well underway. It begins quietly—with a phone call, a whispered conversation, a hidden cash transfer- a compromised collaborator leaking vital details,including the movement of the military to the terrorists. By mapping out the targets and providing them with the necessary logistics, shelter, supplies, and intelligence required, these local collaborators do more than assist; they are the literal lifeblood that have sustained the terrorists’ in the last few years.
In the last few months Governor Ahmed Aliyu has increasingly been drawing attention to this overlooked dimension of the security challenge,based on security reports and intelligence assessments that continue to reveal the role of the collaborators in sustaining the terrorists. Clearly in the fight against terrorism, the collaborators are no doubt as dangerous as the terrorists themselves. Cases involving individuals providing logistical support, acting as informants or facilitating criminal activities have reinforced and confirmed the uncomfortable reality,of the threat posed by the collaborators to the communities. For Governor Aliyu’s administration, defeating terrorism therefore requires dismantling the support systems that have sustained the terrorists activities, and the need for the communities to become partners in the security effort.
For more than a decade, terrorism, violent banditry and inter communal clashes have remained among Nigeria’s most serious security challenges, driving the total number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) nationwide to over 3.7 million. Across the North-West, countless communities have suffered devastating attacks, resulting in the mass displacement of nearly 794,000 people within the zone alone. This localized crisis is highly concentrated across frontline states, with Zamfara hosting over 279,000 IDPs, followed by Katsina (206,000), Sokoto (181,000), and Kaduna (115,000). For a country not at war this figure is unacceptable.
The consequences of their actions extend far beyond the immediate casualties to include severe economic disruption, deep social instability, and growing uncertainty about the future for the displaced population. The violence has fundamentally crippled agriculture and forced an additional 268,000 Nigerians from the North-West to cross international borders as registered refugees in the neighboring Niger Republic. With children accounting for more than half of the displaced population, the long-term effect will definitely affect and worsen the education crisis and the instability which presents a severe, multi-generational threat to the entire subregion.
For Sokoto State, the challenge is particularly significant. Sharing borders with neighbouring states and the Republic of Niger, the state occupies a strategic position that creates both opportunities and vulnerabilities. While these geographical realities facilitate trade and movement, they also create complex security challenges requiring constant vigilance and effective coordination.
Communities across various parts of the state have experienced the painful effects of insecurity in different ways. Farming activities have faced disruptions in some areas, commercial activities have also experienced serious setbacks and concerns regarding safety have altered normal patterns of social interaction. Families have been displaced, and communities that once thrived through cooperation and shared economic activities have had to contend with uncertainty and live in mortal fear.
These realities increasingly is a confirmation that military action alone cannot completely defeat terrorism. Security agencies continue to confront armed groups operating in the forests, and their sacrifices remain critical to maintaining public safety. However, experience has shown that terrorism is rarely defeated through military action alone. Behind many violent operations there often exists a less visible support structure that enables the criminal networks to function.
Modern terrorist organisations and violent groups depend heavily upon networks of support that sustain their activities. Some individuals provide intelligence regarding the movement of security personnel, while others facilitate transportation, hide weapons or assist with financial transactions. Others supply food and fuel or help recruit vulnerable individuals into the criminal networks.
The motivations why collaborators engage in the criminal enterprise vary considerably. In most communities affected by insecurity, some people may sometimes feel compelled to cooperate with criminal elements because of threats against themselves or their families. Others may be motivated by financial rewards, longstanding personal relationships or economic hardship. Whatever the reasons,the fact remains that they are helping the terrorists,and some other people have refused to help them.
There is evidence that terrorists often exploit economic vulnerability in their recruitment efforts. Individuals struggling to meet basic needs for themselves and their families are more susceptible to promises of financial rewards or other inducements. Young people facing unemployment and limited opportunities may be particularly exposed to such manipulation. However, while economic hardship may create conditions that terrorists seek to exploit, it cannot be considered sufficient justification for collaboration with criminal and violent groups.
Regardless of motivation, however, the consequences remain equally destructive. Every movement of security personnel disclosed to the criminal elements, every hidden weapon, every supply delivered and every logistical support provided weakens the efforts of the security agencies and places innocent lives at greater risk.
While the weapons may be hidden in the forests, the support networks often operate in plain sight. Without such networks, criminal organisations would find it significantly more difficult to sustain their operations over long periods.
The impact of terrorism can’t be over emphasized. It extends far beyond the immediate security concerns. It affects economies, disrupts education and weakens social trust within communities.
In many rural communities, insecurity has discouraged farming activities and consequently affected agricultural productivity. Farmers continue to avoid cultivating distant farmlands because of real fear, while local markets are operating below their full economic potential. Trade routes and commercial activities have become more constrained, affecting incomes and reducing opportunities for economic growth.
Education, already facing serious challenges across many Northern States, has suffered even further in the environments destabilized by insecurity and terrorism. The region that has continued to grapple with issues of school access, poor enrollment rates, and large numbers of out-of-school children, the persistent violence has only deepened these existing problems. Displacement, fear, and disruptions to community life often interrupt children’s education, creating long-term consequences that extend far beyond the immediate crisis. For families already struggling with economic hardship, insecurity imposes additional burdens that further undermine educational opportunities and future prospects.
Beyond these economic and social consequences lies another important challenge: the gradual erosion of trust within communities. Suspicion and fear can weaken relationships among citizens and undermine the social cohesion necessary for collective progress. Communities function most effectively when people trust one another and cooperate in addressing common problems. The collaborators have ensured that that environment does not exist.
Recognising the complexity of these realities, stronger partnerships between communities and security institutions have become increasingly important.
Effective security operations rely on timely intelligence and strong cooperation between the people and institutions responsible for maintaining public safety. Given the vast terrain and numerous communities that require protection, security agencies cannot be present in every village, road, market, and settlement at all times. This reality makes citizens indispensable partners in safeguarding their communities and supporting the security efforts.
Trust lies at the centre of any successful security strategy. The people often observe unusual movements, unfamiliar faces or suspicious activities before the military becomes aware of them. Such information becomes valuable only when individuals have the confidence that they can report concerns safely and with no fear.
Traditional institutions will continue to play an especially important role in this regard. Traditional rulers possess extensive knowledge regarding their community, local relationships and migration patterns. Their understanding of local realities often enables them to identify emerging concerns before they develop into serious threats.
Religious leaders also occupy a significant position in the efforts to defeat the terrorists.Through their influence, they can promote peaceful coexistence, reject extremist narratives and reinforce moral responsibilities that discourage support for criminal behaviour. Likewise, community organisations, and youth groups can contribute significantly by raising awareness and strengthening resistance against radicalisation and recruitment efforts.
The responsibility of government, however, extends far beyond deploying security personnel and conducting security operations. Achieving lasting peace also depends on addressing the broader social and economic conditions that criminal groups often exploit. On this front, the Sokoto State Government has made significant investments in education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, and youth empowerment. For Governor Aliyu, these are not merely development priorities but essential components of a broader long-term security strategy.
Strengthening rural economies, creating employment opportunities and improving access to education will reduce vulnerabilities that often create opportunities for criminal recruitment and exploitation.
Security ultimately remains a shared responsibility. Every citizen has a role to play in protecting communities by reporting suspicious activities, rejecting misinformation and refusing every form of assistance to criminal networks.
Silence can sometimes become an unintended partnership with criminality. Personal relationships, financial incentives or other considerations should never outweigh the collective responsibility to protect innocent lives.
The ultimate victory against terrorism cannot be measured solely by the number of arrests made or weapons recovered. Its true measure lies in the restoration of normal life — children returning safely to school, farmers cultivating their lands without fear, markets operating freely, and families once again living in peace, security, and stability.
Sokoto State’s journey toward lasting security demands courage and sustained commitment from every stakeholder. Governor Aliyu has done well in drawing attention to the critical role of local collaboration and community responsibility in the fight against terrorism, helping to broaden public understanding of the challenge. However, defeating terrorism cannot remain solely the responsibility of government and security agencies; it requires the collective effort of an entire society determined to protect its future.
Gatekeepers News is not liable for opinions expressed in this article; they’re strictly the writer’s
