Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed concern that the Boko Haram insurgency has become an entrenched part of Nigerian life, warning that the situation poses a grave threat if left unaddressed.
Speaking on Friday at the unveiling of the book Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum authored by former Chief of Defense Staff, General Lucky Irabor, in Abuja, Obasanjo said Nigerians must begin to ask hard questions to effectively tackle the menace.
Boko Haram is now virtually becoming part of our life. Should we accept that? If we should not accept it, what should we do? he asked.
How much do we know both from their side and from ours? Have we been active enough? Have we been proactive enough? We must confront these questions if we are to deal with what has now become a monster within our country.
The former president, who also wrote the foreword to the book, commended Irabor for documenting his insider experience in the fight against terrorism, describing the publication as an act of courage that will serve posterity.
He urged Nigerians and policymakers to engage in deeper, solution-driven discussions to end the insurgency, stressing that complacency would only worsen the crisis.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, service chiefs, past and present governors, and religious leaders.
Obasanjo has long been vocal on issues of national security. Earlier this year, he warned that unchecked population growth could create conditions for crises worse than Boko Haram by 2050.
The Boko Haram insurgency, which began in 2009, has led to the deaths of tens of thousands and displaced millions, particularly in Nigeria’s North-East region, despite years of military operations and counterterrorism strategies.
