Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed deep concern regarding the persistence of the Boko Haram insurgency, which has now extended for 15 years, surpassing the duration of the Nigerian Civil War. He emphasized that without significant reforms and specialized training within the military, Nigeria’s challenges with insurgency and banditry are likely to persist.
In comments made during the Toyin Falola Interviews, Obasanjo argued that Nigeria’s security forces remain ill-prepared for the unconventional warfare they face. He stated that the military has primarily been trained for traditional, static conflicts, which does not align with the guerrilla-style tactics employed by groups like Boko Haram.
Obasanjo outlined four critical areas that need to be addressed:
- Training: He stressed the need for specialized training to combat fleeting targets effectively. He highlighted Colombia as an example of a country that has successfully adapted military training to tackle similar issues.
- Equipment: Different forms of warfare demand distinct types of arms and ammunition, which the current military arsenal may not adequately provide.
- Intelligence: The need for robust intelligence-gathering mechanisms is crucial, along with establishing trust between Nigeria and other nations in sharing intelligence.
- Technology: Modern technology must be integrated into military operations to enhance effectiveness.
Obasanjo reminisced about his 2011 trip to Maiduguri aimed at understanding Boko Haram’s origins and grievances. He recalled that initial negotiations with the insurgents failed, as they refused to engage with the federal government. During this visit, he discovered that Boko Haram was indeed a well-organized group with legitimate grievances but noted that his attempts to facilitate communication with the government yielded no results.
He lamented the ongoing violence and instability, underscoring the imperative for the military and governmental bodies to evolve and adopt more contemporary approaches to warfare.
