Retired Nigerian military officers have thrown their weight behind former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retd), following his call for a state of emergency to combat Boko Haram.
Irabor made the proposal in his new book titled “Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum.”
He said Nigeria’s fight against terrorism has suffered because of a lack of political will.
He explained that declaring an emergency backed by the National Assembly would mobilize all elements of national power to end the insurgency.
“The government has not yet mustered the will to declare war on Boko Haram,” Irabor wrote.
“With an emergency proclamation, government focus and coordination will improve, driving every resource toward the war effort.”
Despite several military victories, Boko Haram’s recent attacks have intensified.
The group recently seized Kirawa, a border town in Borno State, burning a military barracks and several homes. Over 5,000 residents fled to Cameroon for safety.
Governor Babagana Zulum has urged the Federal Government to deploy more troops to secure border communities.
Over 2.2 million people remain displaced due to continued violence.
Retired Brigadier General Peter Aro described Irabor’s suggestion as “strategically sound and deeply informed by experience.”
He stressed that a genuine state of emergency would free security agencies from political interference.
“When politics steps aside, coordination improves and results follow,” he said.
“Such focus allows the military to act with precision and integrity.”
Retired Major General Dayo Olukoju agreed but advised a multilateral approach.
He said the causes of terrorism such as poverty, identity crisis, and injustice must also be addressed to prevent future resurgence.
Retired Colonel Saka Folusho supported the idea but warned that illegal arms trade must be tackled.
“If soldiers are underpaid and poorly equipped, security will always suffer,” he said.
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) also renewed its demand for an emergency declaration. NEF spokesperson, Prof. Abubakar Jiddere, said deploying massive security forces in crisis-prone states like Zamfara, Niger, and Borno is now necessary.
Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) criticized President Bola Tinubu for what it called his “insensitivity” to worsening insecurity.
The ADC said the President’s frequent attendance at social events while citizens die daily shows “cruel indifference.”
However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) countered, saying the country is progressing from insecurity to safety.
APC spokesperson Bala Ibrahim said recent arrests of high-profile kidnappers show Tinubu’s government is serious about national security.
He added, “Yes, challenges exist, but Nigerians can see the progress. The opposition is only desperate for attention.”
Post Views: 15
