Nigeria’s fight against insurgency is being slowed by insufficient troop numbers and the vast terrain of the North-East, former Army Chief, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has said.
In an interview on Channels Television, Buratai explained that while the military is not overwhelmed, it is significantly overstretched across multiple regions.
He noted that troops are currently deployed in the North-East, North-West, and North-Central, stretching operational capacity.
“The landmass is huge, and troops are dispersed. We need more boots on ground,” he said, recommending at least five military divisions for the North-East alone.
He also highlighted operational challenges including difficult terrain, harsh weather, logistics issues, and troop fatigue.
Despite these challenges, Buratai maintained that Nigerian forces have improved capabilities, including the deployment of surveillance and armed drones, but require more equipment and sustained investment.
