Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), has said that relying solely on the military cannot solve Nigeria’s insecurity challenges. He called for a “whole-of-society” approach involving all sectors of the country.

Buratai stressed that while troops remain active in conflict zones, their efforts must be supported by good governance, social programs, and economic initiatives from government agencies and communities.

He noted that poor infrastructure, particularly dilapidated roads, slows troop movements and exposes them to ambushes, highlighting that addressing such issues is key to improving military effectiveness.

The former army chief also urged state governments to focus on youth empowerment through job creation, skills development, and other programs to prevent young people from joining violent groups.

Buratai emphasized that fighting insurgency goes beyond naming alleged sponsors; the priority is taking concrete action against those supporting terrorist activities.

He concluded that lasting peace in Nigeria requires continuous collaboration between the military, government institutions, and civil society to address the root causes of unrest.