While the recent airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force are certainly a necessary tactical tool for neutralizing insurgent camps and disrupting supply lines, it is unlikely that they alone will provide a permanent solution to the crisis in the Northwest. Banditry is often deeply rooted in complex socioeconomic issues like extreme poverty, unemployment, and the breakdown of local governance, which cannot be defeated from the air. A truly comprehensive strategy must pair these security operations with massive investment in rural development, better border management, and strong community policing to rebuild trust on the ground. Ultimately, military action can create the breathing room for stability, but sustainable peace will only come when the government effectively addresses the underlying grievances that allow these groups to recruit and thrive in the first place.