Nigeria, Dec. 1 -- Not long ago, a well-worn phrase began to echo again in Nigeria's public conversation: "We need more boots on the ground." It is a phrase that sounds decisive, almost comforting. It suggests movement, resolve, and visible action. In a country where too many communities live under the shadow of fear, the image of more uniforms in the field can feel like an answer in itself.

Over the past two weeks, the President has given concrete form to that sentiment: declaring a state of emergency on insecurity and announcing plans to recruit 20,000 additional police officers and 20,000-25,000 new army personnel. These steps matter. They acknowledge the obvious - that our security architecture is overstretched, and that Nigerians ar...