Obasanjo Calls for Collective Strategy to Defeat Boko Haram, Tackle Insecurity
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged Nigerians and the government to adopt a holistic, collective approach in addressing the Boko Haram insurgency and the wider insecurity challenges confronting the country.
Obasanjo made the call on Thursday in Abuja at the public presentation and review of the book “Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum” authored by retired Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor.
The former president, who also wrote the foreword to the book, described Boko Haram as one of the most protracted security challenges in Nigeria’s history, having persisted for over 15 years across four administrations.
He recalled earlier national security threats such as pre-independence militancy, the Tiv riots, and the 30-month civil war, but stressed that Boko Haram had become a more enduring menace.
“In 2011, after the UN House attack in Abuja, I tried to understand who these people were and what they wanted. I discovered they were not pursuing political or religious goals; they simply sought a better life,” Obasanjo said.
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He posed critical questions to the audience: “Have we understood that? Have we taken the right steps? Should we accept this menace as part of our lives? If not, what should we do? How proactive have we been in dealing with this monster within our country?”
Commending Irabor for documenting his experience and insights, Obasanjo said the book would enrich national conversations on peace and security. He emphasized that Nigeria must examine its past with honesty in order to properly address current challenges and shape a better future.
“The life of any nation has the good, the bad and the ugly. What matters is confronting our challenges honestly, learning from history, and looking beyond the ordinary when it is time to proffer solutions,” he stated.
The former president further cautioned against separating Boko Haram insurgency from banditry, noting that the two had become intertwined.
“Those who speak about Boko Haram do not even know when it ends and when banditry begins. They are all mixed together. We must act decisively, and we must act together,” Obasanjo said.
The event drew the attendance of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Minister of Defence Muhammad Badaru, service chiefs, traditional rulers, senior military officers, lawmakers, and members of the diplomatic corps.
By PRNigeria
