Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says Nigeria’s battle against Boko Haram has dragged on far beyond the duration of the civil war, which lasted from 1967 to 1970.
He made the remarks on Sunday during the Toyin Falola Interviews, streamed live on social media, with Bishop Matthew Kukah and former CBN deputy governor Kingsley Moghalu also participating.
Responding to questions on insecurity, Obasanjo stressed that Nigeria must approach insurgency with a mix of specialised training, proper equipment, credible intelligence, and modern technology.
“There are four important items and I hope that those who are in charge military, executive, and legislature know what they are doing,” he said.
He explained that the military’s standard training is designed for traditional warfare, which is insufficient when confronting groups that “are fleeting targets or living among your people”.
He cited Colombia as a country with relevant expertise, adding, “Should we invite them to train our people? There is no shame in that.”
Obasanjo also listed the need for equipment tailored to asymmetric warfare and high-quality intelligence, asking, “Can others trust us with the intelligence that they have?”
He added that technology must complement these efforts, noting that counterinsurgency requires the integration of multiple sectors.
Obasanjo criticised the current structure in which the military procures its own hardware, saying, “It is not done. The whole thing is an industry.”
Reflecting on the timeline of Nigeria’s conflicts, he said: “Civil war lasted for 30 months. Although we thought it would last for six months. But this fight against insurgents and criminals has lasted for almost 15 years.”
Obasanjo recalled visiting Maiduguri in 2011 to understand Boko Haram’s motivations and leadership.
According to him, the group initially rejected dialogue with the government but later accepted a 21-day ceasefire.
He said the window was wasted because authorities failed to follow up with the insurgents’ leadership.
