General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, has elucidated the reasons behind the prolonged struggle against Boko Haram. The group initially targeted vulnerable locations but escalated its tactics in 2011, launching coordinated assaults that included suicide bombings aimed at police facilities and the United Nations office in Abuja.
In early 2012, the government declared a state of emergency that was later extended to encompass the entire northeastern region of Nigeria in the following year. This crisis has resulted in the tragic loss of tens of thousands of innocent lives and has displaced approximately 2.3 million individuals since May 2013.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today program on Friday, the Chief of Defence Staff addressed several factors contributing to the military’s ongoing struggle against insurgents. “The challenge posed by Boko Haram is significant. Consider this: they have managed to survive for 16 years and continue to engage in combat. How are they financing their operations? Who is sustaining their activities? Their persistence cannot simply be coincidental.” “I often tell people that no nation should allow such situations to develop in the first place. Combating this issue is exceptionally challenging—almost insurmountable. In previous conventional warfare scenarios, one fought against a nation, with clear objectives tied to territorial gains and strategic goals. The stakes and motivations were straightforward.”
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You are now confronting individuals who have nothing to lose. They are propelled by a deeply rooted ideology that convinces them of their righteousness and casts you as the adversary. Some may genuinely believe that taking your life will earn them divine favor, while others think that their own death will lead them to paradise. This mindset leaves them with nothing to lose whatsoever. Moreover, they have come to understand that we adhere to international laws while they do not. As a result, they employ strategies such as using human shields. Whenever they possess something of significance, they surround themselves with others, making it nearly impossible for us to take action against them. This tactic complicates our efforts significantly.
When people ask, “Why is this taking so long?” it’s important to understand that the operation is incredibly complex and fraught with risk. A single mistake can lead to the loss of innocent lives, resulting in severe repercussions for the nation. Conversely, if we fail to eliminate the terrorists, they will continue to pose a threat. In either scenario, the consequences can be dire.
“Your uniform makes you easily identifiable, and as a result, you are legally bound to adhere to specific regulations. These are the challenges we are currently confronting.”
“As I previously mentioned, if we were to engage in traditional warfare using our current equipment and armaments, we could easily decimate entire communities. This approach would bring about a swift resolution. However, such tactics are no longer viable in today’s context.”
16 Years On: CDS Musa Explains Why Boko Haram Remains a Threat
