Former Chief of Army Staff, , has warned that Nigeria cannot overcome insecurity by relying only on the military, stressing that the country needs a broader national strategy involving all sectors.
Buratai made the statement during an interview on Channels Television, where he called for what he described as a “whole-of-society approach” to tackle insurgency and violent crime across the country.
Military Alone Cannot End Insurgency
According to the former army chief, the fight against groups such as Boko Haram should not be left to soldiers alone.
He said security agencies have continued to carry out operations across troubled regions, but lasting peace will only come when governance, economic development, and social programmes are fully involved.
Buratai noted that many government institutions and stakeholders have roles to play in solving the crisis.
“The whole country is over-relying on the military,” he said, adding that insecurity requires cooperation from all levels of government and society.
National Security Strategy Not Fully Implemented
Buratai referred to Nigeria’s National Security Strategy introduced in 2019, saying the document already provided a comprehensive plan that includes economic, social, and infrastructure solutions.
However, he questioned whether the strategy has been properly implemented over the years.
He explained that insurgency cannot be defeated through combat alone because poverty, unemployment, and lack of development often fuel violence.
Poor Infrastructure Slowing Military Operations
The retired general also said bad roads and weak infrastructure in conflict zones are affecting military effectiveness.
According to him, troops sometimes spend hours travelling to locations that should take a shorter time, giving insurgents the chance to plan ambushes or plant explosives.
“In some instances, an operation that should take two hours could take up to five hours due to bad roads,” he said.
He added that improving infrastructure, especially in the North-East, would help troops respond faster and reduce risks.
Call For Youth Development And Job Creation
Buratai urged state governments to focus more on youth empowerment, job creation, and skills training.
He said many young people become involved in violence because of poverty and lack of opportunities.
He also spoke on the issue of sponsors of terrorism, saying the priority should be taking action against them rather than only mentioning names.
Need For Collective Effort
The former army chief concluded that defeating insecurity in Nigeria requires cooperation between the military, government agencies, communities, and the private sector.
He said the country can still achieve lasting peace if the whole-of-society approach is fully adopted.
