Following recent deadly twin bomb attacks in Maiduguri, Borno State, which claimed 23 lives and injured over 100 people, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has issued a strong call for the Nigerian military to adopt a more proactive stance against terrorism. The attacks, occurring at a local market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office flyover, prompted the Sultan's appeal on Wednesday, coinciding with his declaration of Friday as Eid-el-Fitr.

Condemning the bombings as "un-Islamic" and emphasizing that such violence should not be linked to the teachings of Islam, the Sultan urged security forces to take the fight directly to terrorist hideouts. He stated, "Take the war to the terrorists where they are. Don’t wait for them to strike before defending or finding remedies. This you must do so that, as a nation of great people, we can have peace in our country." Furthermore, he appealed to the government to demonstrate the necessary political willpower to provide effective security and safety for all citizens, irrespective of their religion or ethnicity, to "stamp out these criminal elements across the country." The Sultan also called on Nigerians to foster peace, unity, and coexistence, highlighting their importance for national development.

Adding another crucial dimension to the discussion, Senator Ali Ndume, appearing on Channels Television's Politics Today, echoed and backed claims by Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede. Both officials asserted that many perpetrators of terrorism in the Northeast, particularly in Borno and Yobe states, are from within the affected communities and often rely on local collaborators. Ndume elaborated that it is exceptionally difficult for insurgent fighters to execute attacks without insider support. He noted that many involved in recent incidents in his constituency appeared to be indigenes, identifiable by their accents and familiarity with the local terrain.

The lawmaker expressed total agreement with the military chief’s position that residents must assume responsibility for addressing the crisis. Ndume argued that insurgents frequently exploit unprotected communities, suggesting that enhanced local vigilance and active resistance could significantly deter attacks. He reiterated the Chief of Defence Staff's earlier remarks, which urged communities to take ownership of the problem to foster lasting peace. This perspective underscores a shared belief that effective counter-terrorism strategies must integrate not only military action and government commitment but also robust community involvement and self-defense mechanisms.