Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has observed that Nigeria’s struggle against the Boko Haram insurgency has extended far longer than the country’s 1967–1970 Civil War.
He made the comments on Sunday during a live-streamed session of the Toyin Falola Interviews, alongside panelists including Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, and former Deputy Central Bank Governor, Kingsley Moghalu.
Addressing the nation’s security challenges, Obasanjo emphasised that defeating insurgency requires a combination of specialised training, modern equipment, dependable intelligence, and advanced technology. He suggested that Nigerian military personnel could benefit from training in countries that have successfully tackled similar conflicts, citing Colombia as an example.
“There are four key elements, and I hope those in charge — military, executive, and legislature — understand what they are doing,” he said, noting that conventional military training alone is insufficient against insurgents who move quickly and blend with civilians.
Obasanjo also warned that poor approaches to procurement and intelligence sharing could weaken the fight, stressing that the acquisition of military equipment should not be handled exclusively by the armed forces. “The whole thing is an industry. It is an industry,” he added.
Reflecting on his experience addressing militancy in the Niger Delta, he did not rule out possible collusion between security personnel and insurgents. “The Civil War lasted 30 months, though we expected it to last six. This fight against insurgents and criminals has gone on for nearly 15 years,” he said.
Obasanjo also revealed that he visited Maiduguri in 2011 to study Boko Haram’s origins, grievances, and leadership. He noted that the insurgents initially refused negotiations with the Federal Government but later agreed to a 21-day ceasefire, which collapsed after the government failed to engage effectively with their leaders.
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