Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged a whole-of-society approach to tackling Boko Haram insurgency and other security challenges facing Nigeria.
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Obasanjo made the call on Thursday in Abuja during the review of the book Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, authored by retired Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor. The former president, who wrote the foreword to the book, described the insurgency which has persisted for more than 15 years under four administrations as a major threat to national stability.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s past security crises, including pre-independence militancy, the Tiv riots, and the 30-month civil war, Obasanjo said Boko Haram represents one of the country’s most protracted challenges.
“In 2011, after the UN House attack in Abuja, I sought to understand who these people were and what they wanted. I found they were not pursuing political or religious goals, but essentially seeking a better life,” he said. “Have we understood that? Have we taken the right steps? Should we accept this menace as part of our lives? If not, what should we do? How proactive have we been in dealing with this monster within our country?”
Obasanjo commended Irabor for documenting his experiences and perspectives, noting that the book would enrich ongoing national dialogue on peace and security. He stressed that confronting Nigeria’s past is essential to understanding present challenges and shaping a better future.
“The life of any nation has the good, the bad, and the ugly. What matters is confronting our challenges honestly, examining our past and present, and proposing solutions that go beyond the ordinary,” he said.
Obasanjo also warned against treating Boko Haram and banditry as separate issues, highlighting that the two have become intertwined. “Those who comment on Boko Haram often cannot distinguish when it stops and banditry begins. They are all mixed together. We must act collectively,” he said.
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