Military Force Alone Cannot Defeat Terrorism -Buratai
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has said that military force alone cannot defeat terrorism in Nigeria, stressing the need for effective governance, intelligence gathering, economic opportunities and community participation in the country’s counter-terrorism efforts.
Buratai stated this on Friday in Lagos while delivering his address as Guest of Honour at the public presentation and launch of a book titled Beyond Military Force: A Strategy for Countering Terrorism in Nigeria, authored by Dr Joan Ugo Mbagwu, a Professor of Peace, Criminology and Security Studies at Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He said although military intervention remained indispensable in confronting armed groups and protecting citizens, it could not independently address the underlying conditions that enabled terrorism to thrive.
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According to him, military operations can weaken terrorist organisations and create conditions for peace, but sustainable peace requires the commitment of government institutions, communities and other stakeholders.
”Military force, however professional, is a shield, not a substitute for governance. It can create the conditions for peace, but it cannot by itself build peace.
”It can degrade a terrorist group; it cannot alone remove the grievances of poverty, ignorance and manipulation from which such groups recruit,” he said.
The former army chief noted that Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly in the North-East and North-West, required a combination of military operations and non-military interventions.
He acknowledged improvements in the security situation in parts of the North-East but warned that terrorist and bandit groups continued to exploit remote and inaccessible communities, particularly in the North-West.
Buratai, who commanded Nigerian troops during his tenure as Chief of Army Staff between 2015 and 2021, said the military remained committed to its constitutional responsibilities but should not be expected to perform functions belonging to civilian institutions.
He identified intelligence gathering as a critical component of successful counter-insurgency operations, noting that communities remained important sources of information for security agencies.
”No amount of firepower can compensate for poor intelligence. The community is often the best source of intelligence, but only when the community trusts the security agencies,” he said.
He added that such trust could only be earned through professional conduct, respect for human rights and visible justice.
On human rights, Buratai maintained that compliance with the rules of engagement was not a sign of weakness but a strategic necessity in counter-terrorism operations.
He explained that violations of human rights could provide terrorist organisations with propaganda materials, alienate affected communities and encourage further recruitment.
The retired general also disclosed that the Nigerian Army had consistently reviewed its rules of engagement during his tenure to ensure compliance with prevailing standards, adding that human rights desks and other initiatives were established to strengthen accountability.
He further called for the strengthening of the Nigeria Police Force’s counter-terrorism capacity, warning against the continued overstretching of the military in areas traditionally handled by civilian security institutions.
”The military is not the police; it is not the social welfare agency; it is not the school system. When the military is deployed to perform tasks that belong to civil authorities, it becomes overstretched, and the roots of the conflict remain untouched,” he said.
Buratai also supported credible deradicalisation programmes but cautioned that rehabilitation and reintegration of former terrorists must not become a substitute for justice.
He said victims and affected communities must be assured that justice had been served, while rehabilitation programmes should be transparent, properly monitored and community-based.
On regional cooperation, the former Chief of Army Staff drew from his experience as commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force headquartered in N’Djamena, Chad, stressing that Nigeria could not effectively defeat terrorism without sustained collaboration with neighbouring countries.
He said terrorist organisations, including Boko Haram and its affiliates, operated across national boundaries, making regional security cooperation imperative.
Buratai therefore endorsed the book’s recommendation for stronger engagement through the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union, as well as enhanced cooperation among countries within the Lake Chad Basin.
He also backed the proposal for a state of emergency on poverty in Northern Nigeria, arguing that the initiative must be supported by measurable programmes addressing out-of-school children, the Almajiri system, youth unemployment, vocational training and social protection.
He, however, warned that poverty alleviation programmes must be transparent, accountable and protected from elite capture.
”Poverty is not an excuse for terrorism, but it is a fertile ground for recruitment and manipulation. We must treat it with the seriousness it deserves,” he said.
Speaking on the significance of the publication, Buratai described the book as an important intellectual contribution to Nigeria’s security policy, noting that counter-terrorism required the collaboration of military professionals, academics, civil society organisations, community leaders and policymakers.
He commended the author for adopting an evidence-based approach and presenting practical recommendations that could assist security institutions and government officials.
According to him, the book draws on field surveys conducted across Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Niger and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
He highlighted some of its findings, including that 86 per cent of respondents believed negotiation could be helpful in addressing terrorism, while 92 per cent agreed that community members could contribute significantly to intelligence gathering.
The study also found that 84 per cent of respondents linked terrorist recruitment to poor economic conditions and the Almajiri situation.
Buratai said the findings reinforced the need to understand counter-insurgency as a struggle for legitimacy and the confidence of the population rather than merely a contest of military strength. The book was then unveiled by Major General R.O Yusuf (rtd).
Earlier, the author, Dr Joan Ugo Mbagwu, said the book was conceived to encourage a broader understanding of counter-terrorism beyond the deployment of military force.
She advocated greater attention to deradicalisation, negotiation, improved socio-economic conditions and stronger security partnerships between government institutions, communities and civil society organisations.
Mbagwu, who disclosed that she had conducted research for the Ford Foundation and the Institute for Development Studies, also served as a Process Evaluator for the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund in Africa.
She said her experience in peacebuilding, conflict resolution and security studies informed the research and recommendations contained in the publication.
The author commended Buratai for his interest in the book and his contributions to Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts while in military service.
Also speaking at the event, Olubunmi Ajala commended Buratai for his commitment, dedication and passion for security-related issues, describing the book launch as a timely intervention given the country’s prevailing security challenges.
The event also featured the presentation of an award of appreciation to Buratai in recognition of his contributions to combating terrorism during his tenure as Chief of Army Staff.
The book, Beyond Military Force: A Strategy for Countering Terrorism in Nigeria, is expected to contribute to ongoing discussions on the need for a comprehensive national security framework that combines military operations with governance, economic development, community participation and sustainable peacebuilding.
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