Strategies to Combat Boko Haram by Ex-CDS Irabor

Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (rtd), asserts that political leadership must fully embrace the responsibility of combating the Boko Haram insurgency and broader insecurity within the nation, emphasizing that military force alone is insufficient for victory.

Irabor made this statement on Friday during an interview with Arise Television while discussing his new publication, ‘Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum’.

He pointed out that successive administrations have failed to establish the necessary legal and political framework to resolve the conflict.

“What I observe, and I articulated clearly in the book, is that the government, both past and present, has not recognized the necessity to formally declare war with the appropriate legal instruments against Boko Haram and all forms of insecurity throughout the nation.
There has been no declaration from the National Assembly indicating that we are in a state of war. In the absence of that, certain constitutional provisions that should be suspended for an effective war effort remain inactive, and all facets of state power are not utilized,” he stated.

Irabor, who commanded ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’, reminisced about significant battlefield achievements during his leadership, such as the capture of Alagano, the clearance of the Sambisa Forest, and the neutralization of high-ranking Boko Haram leaders.

“It would have been ideal to witness the eradication of Boko Haram during the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.

However, conflicts of this nature are not akin to chess games. Being a military strategist does not imply that every violent issue can be resolved with military precision. This is why the book advocates for a paradigm shift – employing various elements of state power, rather than solely relying on the military’s hard power,” he concluded.

Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (rtd), emphasizes that political leadership must take complete ownership of the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency and the broader insecurity in the country, highlighting that military force alone cannot achieve victory.

Irabor expressed this viewpoint on Friday during an interview with Arise Television while discussing his latest book, ‘Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum’.

He remarked that successive governments have not provided the essential legal and political framework required to resolve the conflict.

“What I perceive, and I was very explicit in the book, is that the government, both past and present, has not acknowledged the need to declare war with the necessary legal instruments against Boko Haram and all forms of insecurity across the nation.
There has been no declaration from the National Assembly indicating that we are in a state of war. Without such a declaration, parts of the constitution that should be suspended for a proper war effort remain inactive, and all elements of state power are not engaged,” he noted.

Irabor, who led ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’, reflected on key battlefield victories during his command, including the capture of Alagano, the clearance of the Sambisa Forest, and the elimination of senior Boko Haram commanders.

“It would have been beneficial to see Boko Haram eradicated during the presidency of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.

Nonetheless, conflicts of this nature are not like chess games. Being a military strategist does not mean that every violent issue can be resolved with military precision. This is why the book calls for a paradigm shift – utilizing other elements of state power, not just the military’s hard power,” he added.

Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (rtd), states that political leadership must assume full responsibility for the war against Boko Haram insurgency and the broader insecurity in the country, stressing that it cannot be overcome through military force alone.

Irabor made this assertion on Friday in an interview with Arise Television while discussing his new book ‘Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum’.

He indicated that successive governments have failed to create the legal and political framework necessary to bring an end to the conflict.

“What I observe, and I was very clear in the book, is that the government, both past and present, has not recognized the need to declare war with the necessary legal instruments against Boko Haram and all forms of insecurity throughout the country.
There has been no declaration from the National Assembly indicating that we are in a state of war. Without that, parts of the constitution that ought to be suspended for a proper war effort are not activated, and all elements of state power are not deployed,” he remarked.

Irabor, who led ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’, recalled significant battlefield successes during his tenure, including the capture of Alagano, the clearance of the Sambisa Forest, and the elimination of senior Boko Haram commanders.

“It would have been a positive development to see Boko Haram extinguished during the presidency of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.

However, conflicts of this nature are not chessboard games. Being a military strategist does not imply that every violent problem can be solved with military precision. This is why the book advocates for a paradigm shift – employing other elements of state power, not just the hard power of the military,” he concluded.