By Muhammad Mamman
Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, former Chief of Army Staff under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has called for a bold lockdown of Nigeria’s borders to combat the escalating threat of terrorism, likening the strategy to measures taken during the COVID-19 crisis. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, Buratai warned that allowing insurgency to fester poses a grave danger to the nation, urging decisive investment in security solutions.
The former army chief championed a united front, stressing that collaboration between political, traditional, and religious leaders is vital for building community resilience and delivering lasting solutions to Nigeria’s insecurity. Buratai, who previously cautioned that the insurgency could persist without a robust long-term strategy, reiterated the need for sustained action.
Emphasising the military’s role as a force for good, Buratai argued it should be viewed as a solution to insecurity, not an obstacle. On the contentious issue of state police, he acknowledged its potential but cautioned against political misuse, warning that it could be exploited to suppress opponents. He added that state police could gain widespread acceptance if safeguards against political interference are firmly in place.
