Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has stated that military force alone is insufficient to defeat terrorism in Nigeria, urging the government to address underlying socio-economic factors such as poverty, unemployment, and poor governance. Speaking on Friday in Lagos during the public presentation of the book *Beyond Military Force: A Strategy for Countering Terrorism in Nigeria*, Buratai emphasized that while military operations are essential, sustainable peace requires a combination of military and non-military interventions.
Buratai, who served as Chief of Army Staff from 2015 to 2021, described the book as a vital intellectual contribution to the country's counter-terrorism efforts. He noted that security challenges in the North-East and North-West regions demand a comprehensive strategy that extends beyond the use of weapons. "Military force, however professional, is a shield, not a substitute for governance. It can create the conditions for peace, but it cannot by itself build peace," he said, adding that military action can degrade terrorist groups but cannot alone remove the grievances of poverty and ignorance from which they recruit.
The retired general stressed the critical importance of intelligence gathering and community participation, describing local communities as indispensable partners in counter-insurgency operations. "No amount of firepower can compensate for poor intelligence. The community is often the best source of intelligence, but only when the community trusts the security agencies," Buratai stated. He warned that human rights violations during military operations could alienate locals and provide terrorist organizations with propaganda material to attract new recruits, noting that the Nigerian Army had reviewed its rules of engagement and introduced human rights desks during his tenure to ensure accountability.
Buratai also called for stronger counter-terrorism capacity within the Nigeria Police Force, arguing that the military should not continue to shoulder responsibilities traditionally assigned to civilian security institutions. "The military is not the police; it is not the social welfare agency; it is not the school system. When the military is deployed to perform tasks that belong to civil authorities, it becomes overstretched, and the roots of the conflict remain untouched," he said. He further advocated for stronger regional security cooperation, urging Nigeria to collaborate with neighboring countries and regional institutions, including the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union, to combat cross-border terrorist groups like Boko Haram.
Supporting the recommendation for a state of emergency on poverty in Northern Nigeria, Buratai said such initiatives must prioritize out-of-school children, the Almajiri system, and youth unemployment. He cautioned that these programs must be transparent and protected against elite capture. "Poverty is not an excuse for terrorism, but it is a fertile ground for recruitment and manipulation. We must treat it with the seriousness it deserves," he stated. Regarding the rehabilitation of former terrorists, he supported credible deradicalization programs but insisted they must be transparent, community-based, and not undermine justice for victims.
Citing findings from the book, Buratai presented data from field surveys conducted across Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Niger, and the Federal Capital Territory. The results showed that 86 percent of respondents believed negotiation could be helpful in addressing terrorism, while 92 percent agreed that community members could significantly contribute to intelligence gathering. Additionally, 84 percent of respondents linked terrorist recruitment to poor economic conditions and the Almajiri situation. The book was authored by Dr. Joan Ugo Mbagwu, a Professor of Peace, Criminology and Security Studies at Chrisland University, and was formally unveiled by retired Major General R.O. Yusuf.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
