By Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi.
It be stated clearly and without any apology: the continuous attempt by some political actors to manipulate or reinterpret military operations for political advantage is reckless, dangerous, and unacceptable. The Armed Forces of Nigeria are not an extension of political ambition, nor are they instruments to be twisted to fit changing political permutations.
Our military personnel, especially the personnel of the Nigerian Army are on the frontlines, risking—and in many cases losing—their lives to defend the nation. To politicise their sacrifices is not only disrespectful, it is an insult to the very idea of national service. Those who choose to score political points from matters of security should understand that they are undermining the morale, focus, and effectiveness of the very institutions safeguarding this country.
Recent developments further expose how dangerous and misleading these narratives can be. In a circulating video, a captured Boko Haram member, one Tijani openly affirmed that insurgents frequently congregate at the Jilli Axis—an area that was recently targeted and bombed by the Nigerian military. He went to further affirmed that they mobilised from Jilli to carry out the attack on Benisheikh, which led to the tragic loss of our gallant Officers and Men. This revelation directly contradicts the politicised claims suggesting indiscriminate action or targeted victimisation. It instead reinforces the reality that military operations are intelligence-driven and aimed at dismantling terrorist strongholds.
Equally intolerable is the growing habit of dragging ethnic or tribal sentiments into matters of national security. This must stop. Security threats do not discriminate, and neither should our national response. Any attempt to twist counter-terrorism efforts into ethnic or sectional narratives is not only dishonest but dangerously divisive.
Furthermore, the reckless labeling of security operations as “witch-hunts” without credible evidence is a deliberate attempt to discredit institutions and confuse the public. Such narratives are not harmless—they weaken trust, embolden criminal elements, and place additional strain on already overstretched security personnel.
Those pushing such claims must be prepared to take responsibility for the consequences.
Let it be a warning: the continued politicisation of security issues will not only deepen national insecurity but will also be remembered as a betrayal of public trust. Politicians must draw a clear line between legitimate oversight and destructive interference. The former strengthens democracy; the latter endangers lives.
Our security agencies must be allowed to operate without intimidation, manipulation, or political distortion. Anything less is a direct compromise of national safety.
It is the government responsibility to provide security, especially in a Country like Nigeria, where citizens are not allowed to own the kind of weapons that terrorists and often criminals carry, government must protect the citizens.
In conclusion, the lives of citizens are not bargaining chips for political games. They are sacred. Any individual or group that chooses to exploit insecurity for political gain must understand that they are playing a dangerous game—one that history will judge harshly.
Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi an entrepreneur, a security analyst and an opinion moulder sent this article from Ibadan, Oyo State.
