**Title: Borno and Yobe Residents, Your Knowledge is Key to Defeating Boko Haram** In a bid to tackle the growing Boko Haram insurgency in the North East, Nigeria's top military commander has made a passionate appeal to residents of Borno and Yobe states to come forward and share their knowledge in dismantling terrorist networks operating in their communities. The Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, made this call during a security briefing in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, where he was joined by the Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu. Their visit was prompted by a directive from President Bola Tinubu, following a series of deadly explosions that rocked parts of Borno state, leaving many dead and injured. According to the Chief of Defence Staff, the key to defeating Boko Haram lies in the hands of the people. He emphasized that many of those involved in the attacks are not strangers to the communities, but rather, they are people who live among them, often as their neighbors, friends, and relatives. "The bulk of people perpetrating this heinous act are from these states," he said. "They are our brothers, sisters, cousins, and we know them." This appeal is significant, coming at a time when the military is grappling with the evolving threat of Boko Haram, which has increasingly been using drones to launch attacks. The military has confirmed that countermeasures have been deployed to match these evolving threats. The call to action from the Chief of Defence Staff is a recognition of the importance of community ownership in the fight against terrorism. It is a plea to residents of Borno and Yobe states to come forward and share their knowledge, which is critical in dismantling terrorist networks operating in their communities. As Nigeria continues to grapple with the challenges of insecurity, it is heartening to see the military acknowledging the role that community ownership can play in ending the Boko Haram insurgency. It is a call to action that requires the active participation of residents, who are often the first line of defense against terrorist networks. By working together, the military and the community can defeat Boko Haram and bring lasting security to the North East. The question is, will residents of Borno and Yobe states rise to the challenge and take ownership of this problem? Only time will tell.