Based on recent statements, some retired senior military officers in Nigeria have backed calls for a state of emergency to address the ongoing terrorism and insurgency.
This support is largely in response to a proposal made by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retd.). In his new book, ‘Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum,’ Irabor argues that a lack of political will has hindered the fight against terrorism. He suggests that an emergency proclamation, backed by the National Assembly, would mobilize all necessary resources and give a clear, unified focus to the military operation.
Other retired generals have also voiced their support for this idea, including:
- Brigadier General Peter Aro (retd.): He described Irabor’s proposal as “apt and deeply informed by experience,” stating that it would bring “coherence and urgency” to the fight.
- Major General Dayo Olukoju (retd.): He agreed that a state of emergency is necessary but emphasized the need for a broader, multilateral approach to address the root causes of terrorism, such as issues of identity and freedom.
- Colonel Saka Folusho (retd.): He also backed the call but cautioned that it would not be a complete solution without tackling the illicit trade in arms and ammunition that sustains the violence.
The calls from these retired officers and others, including the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), highlight the growing concern over the escalating security challenges in Nigeria and the belief that current measures are insufficient. They see a state of emergency as a way to empower the government to take more decisive and aggressive action against non-state actors.
