Olawepo-Hashim, a prominent Nigerian political figure, has called on the international community to form a unified coalition against insurgents threatening Nigeria's stability. Speaking during an interview with Channels Television, Hashim stressed that regional cooperation and global support remain essential to defeating armed groups destabilising the nation's north-eastern states.
Hashim's Call for Unified International Response
During the televised interview aired from Abuja, Hashim outlined what he described as an urgent need for neighbouring countries to share intelligence and coordinate military operations. He named Chad, Niger, and Cameroon as critical partners whose involvement could shift the balance against insurgent networks operating across porous borders.
"No single nation can defeat this threat alone," Hashim stated. "We require seamless intelligence sharing and joint patrols along our shared frontiers if we are to deny these groups sanctuary." His remarks come amid heightened attacks in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states, where violence has displaced an estimated 2.2 million civilians since January 2024.
Oyo State's Role in the National Security Dialogue
Though insurgency hotspots remain concentrated in Nigeria's north-east, Hashim argued that Oyo State and other southern regions cannot afford to remain passive observers. He pointed to economic consequences already rippling across the country, including disrupted agricultural supply chains and rising food prices affecting markets in Ibadan, Lagos, and Port Harcourt.
The political figure urged state governors to support federal security initiatives through funding and infrastructure. "Security is not solely the federal government's burden," he said, addressing governors assembled at a separate event in Ibadan last week. "State governments must invest in local intelligence networks and community policing frameworks."
The Economic Toll of Ongoing Insecurity
Nigeria's economy has suffered severe strain from persistent violence. The National Bureau of Statistics reported in its latest quarterly release that the agriculture sector contracted by 0.92 percent, attributing much of the decline to farmer displacement in conflict zones. Insurgency-related disruptions have also forced the federal government to redirect billions of naira from infrastructure projects to counter-insurgency operations.
Hashim singled out the Lake Chad Basin Commission as a model for regional collaboration. He pointed to successes achieved when member states conducted coordinated patrols, though he acknowledged that political instability in neighbouring countries had complicated ongoing efforts.
Global Partners and Diplomatic Pressure
The Nigerian official also appealed directly to Western nations, particularly the United States and United Kingdom, to reinstate suspended security assistance programmes. Washington suspended certain military aid to Nigeria following human rights allegations against local security forces. Hashim described the suspension as counterproductive, arguing that cutting support emboldened remaining insurgent cells.
"When we lose access to surveillance technology and training programmes, our forces become less effective," he told Channels Television. "Our allies must understand that a stable Nigeria serves their own security interests in the Sahel."
What Comes Next: Deadlines and Diplomatic Meetings
The Nigerian government has scheduled a regional security summit for October in Abuja, where defence ministers from across West Africa will convene to discuss coordinated border management. Hashim expressed cautious optimism that the summit would produce binding agreements on intelligence sharing, though he acknowledged that past conferences had yielded limited concrete commitments.
International observers from the African Union are expected to attend as mediators. The bloc's peace and security council will review Nigeria's progress report on counter-insurgency operations before deciding whether to deploy additional monitoring personnel to the region.
Watch for the October summit outcomes and any announcements regarding resumed Western military cooperation programmes, which could arrive within the next 60 days and signal a shift in Nigeria's international security partnerships.
Insurgency-related disruptions have also forced the federal government to redirect billions of naira from infrastructure projects to counter-insurgency operations. Hashim singled out the Lake Chad Basin Commission as a model for regional collaboration.
