By Abayomi Susan
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed concern that the Boko Haram insurgency has lasted 15 years, surpassing the duration of Nigeria’s 30-month civil war. He attributes this to the military’s inadequate training for unconventional warfare, emphasizing the need for specialized training, modern equipment, and enhanced intelligence gathering.
Obasanjo suggests that Nigeria can learn from countries like Colombia, which has effectively addressed similar insurgencies through specialized training and international collaboration. He stresses that the current security challenges require a new skill set, as the military is primarily trained for conventional warfare, whereas Boko Haram employs guerrilla-style tactics.
The former president also highlights the importance of addressing deep-rooted grievances and criticizes the tendency to rely on financial incentives rather than tackling the root causes of insecurity. He recalls his 2011 visit to Maiduguri, where Boko Haram leaders expressed readiness for dialogue, but the government failed to respond.
Obasanjo’s comments underscore the need for military overhaul and strategic reforms to effectively combat Boko Haram and other security threats it.
