In his new book, Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, Iraborho was Chief of Defence Staff from 29 January 2021 until he retired from the Army on 23 June 2023, argued that the absence of political would had hindered Nigeria’s response to the insurgency, stressing that an emergency proclamation backed by the National Assembly would mobilise all elements of national power towards ending the war.

Irabor, who served during the Muhammadu Buhari administration, wrote: ‘The government had not yet mustered the political will and instruments to declare a war against Boko Haram. With an emergency proclamation, backed by the National Assembly, there will be greater and more focused attention by the government to galvanise all the elements of national power towards the war.

‘It should be noted that strategy deals with the aggregate of the elements of national power. These include economic, political, social, diplomatic, information, and military.

‘’The political authority stands at the apex. The success at the tactical and operational levels will never translate to victory if there is failure at the strategic level. Tactical operations alone rarely bring about the desired outcome in political situations’.

Despite being degraded by the military following the killing of many of its top commanders and the arrest of hundreds of its foot soldiers, Boko Haram’s attacks in the North have intensified recently, causing widespread destruction and displacement.

Last week, the group seized the border town of Kirawa in Borno State, forcing thousands to flee to neighbouring Cameroon.

The attack led to the destruction of a military barracks, dozens of homes, and the palace of the district head. Over 5,000 people reportedly fled to Cameroon due to the recent attacks.

Boko Haram fighters also stormed an army base in the state, killing four soldiers and setting military equipment on fire. A coordinated attack on security formations in Banki was repelled by joint security forces, with one police constable sustaining minor injuries.

Governor Babagana Zulum has called for increased military presence in border communities, citing the need for adequate security.

More than 2.2 million people remain internally displaced in Nigeria, as Boko Haram’s ability to launch coordinated attacks has stretched security forces thin.

The humanitarian impact of the attacks continues to worsen, with many communities left without access to necessities.

Commenting on Irabor’s proposal, Brigadier General Peter Aro (rtd.) described it as apt and borne out of deep operational and strategic experience.

He said that a properly declared and legislatively backed state of emergency would give coherence and urgency to the fight against insurgency.

Aro noted: ‘General Lucky Irabor’s position is both apt and deeply informed by experience. Having served at the operational, strategic, and geo-strategic levels, he speaks with the authority of someone who truly knows his terrain.

‘But it must be a genuine state of emergency — not the kind where governors and local government chairmen still operate as if it were business as usual. When politics steps aside and security takes full command, coordination improves, resources flow faster, and the chain of authority becomes clear. Such an approach, free from political interference, would give the military and other agencies the freedom to act with precision and integrity’.

Also supporting Irabor’s position, Major General Dayo Olukoju (rtd.) said that, while a state of emergency was necessary, it should be complemented by a broader, multilateral approach that addresses the root causes of terrorism.

Olukoju argued: ‘I agree with him. But like I do say, a multilateral approach should be added to it. I was in Maiduguri when we captured one of them, and the terrorist was unrepentant. We have the elite, traditional, spiritual, and military leaders — all of them have roles to play.

‘The root causes are there — have we been able to look into them? Those causes include issues of freedom, identity, among others. If these things are not looked into, I hope we don’t have a resurgence. I am not saying the state of emergency can’t work — it’s perfect — but we can go further to do what I have earlier said’.

Col. Saka Folusho (rtd.) also said there was nothing wrong in declaring a state of emergency on insecurity.

He, however, warned that alone would not solve Nigeria’s security problems unless the authorities tackle the illicit trade in arms and ammunition sustaining the violence.

‘The issue at hand — which is the state of emergency — yes, it’s okay. There’s nothing wrong, but there are some things we have not been addressing. For you to decide to sell ammunition, it means there is a lot of interest you are getting from the other side you are selling to. If somebody decides to sell what is supposed to be used to defend himself, that’s like the person wants to commit suicide’, Folusho said.

He urged that commanders be given clear responsibility and that soldiers be properly equipped and not underpaid. ‘When you are paying somebody N50,000, you are not giving them all the equipment to operate’, he said

He also noted that the recent moves by the Nigerian Army to boost local production and capabilities are welcome, but called for more sustained effort.

Lending its voice, the Northern Elders Forum reiterated its demand for a state of emergency on insecurity in the northern part of the country.

The spokesperson for the forum, Prof. Abubakar Jiddere said: ‘IIn one of our press releases, we called for this. For the second time, we called for it twice.  So, it is important for now that the government should declare a state of emergency on security.

‘That does not mean suspending any government or doing any other thing.  But rather by massively deploying security agencies. The police, the military, and all the armed, all armed policemen and then take very serious action’.

Credit: The PUNCH