Shehu Sani, a former lawmaker and security analyst, has stated that terrorists operating in Nigeria are primarily Nigerians rather than foreign nationals. He emphasized that internal factors, such as local grievances and socio-economic issues, fuel the rise of terrorism in the country.

Sani highlighted that assuming terrorists are foreigners is a misconception that diverts attention from the root causes of insecurity. He urged the government and security agencies to focus on identifying local networks and addressing underlying issues.

He also stressed the importance of community engagement, intelligence gathering, and improved security measures to combat homegrown terrorism effectively. According to Sani, tackling terrorism requires understanding the local context and the motivations of perpetrators.

Experts and citizens have welcomed Sani’s remarks, noting that recognizing the Nigerian origins of most terrorists is key to implementing policies that prevent further attacks and strengthen national security.