Nigerian military leaders call for strategic shifts to combat terrorism

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, has advocated for a multi-dimensional approach to tackling terrorism in Nigeria. Speaking at a book presentation in Lagos, Buratai emphasized that military force alone is insufficient for sustainable peace. He argued that military operations must be complemented by effective governance, socio-economic development, and community engagement to address the root causes of extremist recruitment.

Buratai highlighted the importance of intelligence gathering and community trust, warning that human rights violations during operations can alienate local populations and aid terrorist recruitment. He also recommended strengthening the counter-terrorism capacity of the Nigeria Police Force to prevent overburdening the military with civilian-oriented tasks.

Separately, Major-General Valentine Okoro, the Chief of Training (Army), called for smarter and more adaptive leadership among senior officers to address evolving security threats. During a leadership programme graduation in Abuja, Okoro noted that contemporary challenges, including insurgency, banditry, and separatist agitations, require strategic depth and critical thinking beyond physical courage and tactical brilliance.