Some retired senior military officers have backed the call by a former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retd), for the declaration of a state of emergency to effectively address the Boko Haram insurgency.
In his new book, ‘Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum,’ Irabor argued that the absence of political will had hindered Nigeria’s response to the insurgency, stressing that an emergency proclamation backed by the National Assembly would mobilise all elements of national power towards ending the war.
Irabor, who served as the CDS under the Buhari administration, wrote, “The government had not yet mustered the political will and instruments to declare a war against Boko Haram. With an emergency proclamation, backed by the National Assembly, there will be greater and more focused attention by the government to galvanise all the elements of national power towards the war.
“It should be noted that strategy deals with the aggregate of the elements of national power. These include economic, political, social, diplomatic, information, and military.
‘’The political authority stands at the apex. The success at the tactical and operational levels will never translate to victory if there is failure at the strategic level. Tactical operations alone rarely bring about the desired outcome in political situations.”
Despite being degraded by the military following the killing of many of its top commanders and the arrest of hundreds of its foot soldiers, Boko Haram’s attacks in the North have intensified recently, causing widespread destruction and displacement.
Last week, the group seized the border town of Kirawa in Borno State, forcing thousands to flee to neighbouring Cameroon.
The attack led to the destruction of a military barracks, dozens of homes, and the palace of the district head. Over 5,000 people reportedly fled to Cameroon due to the recent attacks.
Boko Haram fighters also stormed an army base in Borno State, killing four soldiers and setting military equipment on fire. A coordinated attack on security formations in Banki was repelled by joint security forces, with one police constable sustaining minor injuries.
Governor Babagana Zulum has called for increased military presence in border communities, citing the need for adequate security.
More than 2.2 million people remain internally displaced in Nigeria.
The group’s ability to launch coordinated attacks has stretched security forces thin.
The humanitarian impact of the attacks continues to worsen, with many communities left without access to necessities.
Commenting on Irabor’s proposal, Brigadier General Peter Aro (retd.) described it as apt and borne out of deep operational and strategic experience.
He said a properly declared and legislatively backed state of emergency would give coherence and urgency to the fight against insurgency.
Aro noted, “General Lucky Irabor’s position is both apt and deeply informed by experience. Having served at the operational, strategic, and geo-strategic levels, he speaks with the authority of someone who truly knows his terrain.
“But it must be a genuine state of emergency — not the kind where governors and local government chairmen still operate as if it were business as usual. When politics steps aside and security takes full command, coordination improves, resources flow faster, and the chain of authority becomes clear. Such an approach, free from political interference, would give the military and other agencies the freedom to act with precision and integrity.”
Also supporting Irabor’s position, retired Major General Dayo Olukoju said while a state of emergency was necessary, it should be complemented by a broader, multilateral approach that addresses the root causes of terrorism.
