Recent airstrikes targeting militant positions in Nigeria have once again focused international attention on the country’s long-running security crisis. While such operations aim to disrupt extremist groups, they also raise urgent questions about civilian protection and the absence of a comprehensive political solution.
The United Nations has repeatedly warned that Nigeria’s conflict cannot be resolved through military means alone. UN agencies have documented widespread displacement, civilian casualties, food insecurity and the erosion of trust between communities and state institutions, conditions that continue to fuel instability.
Militant groups including Boko Haram and factions linked to the Islamic State have survived years of offensives, adapting rather than disappearing. UN assessments have consistently pointed to governance failures, poverty, and human rights abuses as key drivers of their resilience.
From a UN perspective, the growing reliance on airstrikes — whether conducted domestically or with external support from the United States — risks prioritising short-term disruption over long-term civilian safety. Communities living near strike zones often experience fear, displacement and economic disruption, even when they are not direct targets.
UN humanitarian agencies have stressed that millions of Nigerians remain in need of urgent assistance, while peacebuilding efforts lag behind military operations. Without parallel investment in justice, education, livelihoods and local reconciliation, security gains are unlikely to hold.
The UN has also emphasised accountability as a central pillar of stability. Allegations of abuses by both armed groups and security forces undermine public confidence and weaken cooperation with authorities, creating openings for extremist recruitment.
Nigeria’s crisis is not simply a counterterrorism challenge; it is a protection crisis. A UN-aligned approach would place civilians at the centre of security planning, strengthen local governance, and prioritise conflict prevention alongside military pressure.
