Obasanjo lists 4 things FG, Military must do to end insecurity says Boko Haram last lasted more than civil war
Obasanjo lists 4 things FG, Military must do to end insecurity says Boko Haram last lasted more than civil war
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has raised alarm over the longevity of the Boko Haram insurgency, noting that the conflict has dragged on for 15 years far exceeding the 30-month duration of the Nigerian Civil War.
Obasanjo, speaking on Sunday during a virtual edition of the Toyin Falola Interviews, said the prolonged crisis underscores deep structural weaknesses in Nigeria’s security architecture.
The session also featured Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah and former Central Bank Deputy Governor, Dr. Kingsley Moghalu.
The former president warned that Nigeria’s battles with terrorism and banditry will persist unless the armed forces adopt new strategies, including specialised foreign training, improved intelligence capabilities, and greater use of modern technology.
He argued that the country’s military remains oriented toward “conventional warfare,” a model he said is ill-suited for the asymmetric and guerrilla-style conflicts Nigeria now faces.
Obasanjo added that without comprehensive reforms, the nation would continue to struggle against armed groups that have adapted more quickly to the complexities of modern insurgency.
He said, “There are four important items and I hope that those who are in charge both military, executive, and legislature know what they are doing.
“First, there is training. There are different types of training. The military is trained for conventional war and static enemies; you plan, you go there, and you deal with it.
“If the people you are dealing with are fleeting targets or living among your people, you will need different types of training to deal with them.
“Among the countries that have done that fairly successfully is Colombia. Should we invite them to train our people? There is no shame in that. It is a specialised type of training.
“There is the equipment. The equipment to fight, including arms and ammunition to fight that type of warfare, is different from the equipment for conventional warfare.
“The third one is intelligence. You need absolute intelligence. Can others trust us with the intelligence that they have? And the fourth one is technology. These four have to come together and do other things internally.
“Then you ask the military to be the one buying equipment. It is not done. The whole thing is an industry. It is an industry.
The former president also expressed concern that the 15-year battle against Boko Haram had lasted even more than the civil war.
“Civil war lasted for 30 months. Although we thought it would last for six months. But this fight against insurgents and criminals has lasted for almost 15 years.”
The former military head of state recounted his 2011 visit to Maiduguri, where he sought to understand Boko Haram’s origins, grievances, and leadership. Obasanjo said the insurgents initially refused to engage in negotiations with the federal government.
He said, “When I went to Maiduguri, my aim was to understand what Boko Haram really was. Are these people real? Do they have leaders? What are their grievances?
“Before leaving, I informed the president of my intention. He offered me a plane, but I declined. I told him that the moment I took a government aircraft, I would be seen as a government agent—and once that happened, I would no longer be trusted. So I went on my own.
“When I arrived, I discovered they were truly an organised group. I also found that their leader, Mohammed Yusuf, was regarded as a decent man, someone even other clergy members had once recommended.
“I asked if they were willing to speak with the government. At first, they said no. When they later agreed to talks, they insisted it could not happen anywhere in Africa. I told them that was impossible; it is an African problem and must be solved in Africa.
“I eventually reported everything to the government, but nothing was done.
“When they later asked how long they had to wait, I appealed to them: ‘Can you cease fire for 21 days while the government works out how to reach you?’ I stepped out, and the government never made contact with them.”
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Govt. vows to get justice for teenage Girl allegedly raped by eight men
Govt. vows to get justice for teenage Girl allegedly raped by eight men
The Anambra Government has vowed to get justice for a 16-year old girl (name withheld) over alleged sexual molestation by eight men including her guardian.
The incident occurred in Nawfia, Njikoka Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Esther Onyekesi, made this known during an interaction with newsmen on Thursday in Awka.
“The teenager, who was severely raped by these men is now two months pregnant, according to medical report presented by a concerned priest from Nawfia, who reported the case.
“Therefore, the ministry must stand for this helpless girl,” she said.
Onyekesi decried a situation where adults who are supposed to protect young people take advantage of them, especially to the level of sexual molestation and exploitation.
She assured the safety of the girl and encouraged men to protect women, especially young girls rather than take advantage of them, in order to build a better society.
According to the teenager brought to the office of the commissioner, her guardian forces himself on her every night and later other men join in the act.
She said that with the help of a good samaritan, she was rescued a week ago from the abuse and brought to the ministry.
Asked about the wife of her guardian, she said the wife was sick with stroke, while her sons and daughters were all grown and some married.
She informed the commissioner that the police had arrested two persons out of the eight suspects that allegedly molested her.
She said that the case was before the Nawfia police station. (NAN)
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I accepted to be Obi’s running mate because 3 top politicians rejected him – Datti Baba-Ahmed opens up
Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has opened up on the circumstances that led him to join forces with Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election, saying his decision was largely driven by sympathy for the former Anambra State governor.
Speaking during an interview with Symphoni, Baba-Ahmed disclosed that Obi had unsuccessfully approached three prominent politicians to be his running mate before eventually turning to him.
According to the former senator, he would have welcomed any of the politicians accepting Obi’s offer, but their refusal left him concerned about both Obi’s political prospects and the state of the country.
Reflecting on their partnership, Baba-Ahmed said, “I have sympathy for him. And this sympathy was at the core of our relationship.”
He explained that Obi’s search for a vice-presidential candidate in 2022 was marked by repeated setbacks, a development he said deeply affected him.
“When he approached three other major politicians in 2022, I would have been glad if one of them had gone with Peter Obi in 2022. But they all avoided him. I felt bad for him and I felt bad for Nigeria as a nation,” Baba-Ahmed said.
He maintained that his decision to join the Labour Party ticket was voluntary and based on personal conviction rather than political calculation.
“I took it upon myself because naturally I have always been a volunteer. For the sake of Nigeria, I extended that sympathy to him,” he added.
The Obi-Baba-Ahmed ticket emerged as one of the most closely followed political movements during the 2023 elections, attracting significant support across different parts of the country.
However, the relationship between the two politicians has since been overshadowed by differences over political strategy and party affiliation.
Baba-Ahmed criticised Obi’s decision to leave the Labour Party amid its prolonged leadership crisis, arguing that internal disputes are common across political organisations and should be resolved rather than avoided.
Questioning Obi’s decision to seek political alternatives, he said: “If Abure was a problem, what makes him think Nwosu or David Mark of ADC will not be a problem? What makes him think Seriake of NDC will not be a problem?”
He further argued that every political platform faces similar challenges.
“So it’s the same thing wherever you go. Stay here and fix the problem and let’s work together. But he decided to move,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed also dismissed suggestions that his political relevance was tied to Obi, stressing that he remains politically independent.
“With due respect, he does not own my politics; he doesn’t own me. I am independent,” he stated.
Following the 2023 elections, Baba-Ahmed aligned himself with the Peoples Redemption Party, while Obi has continued his political activities through new political associations after leaving the Labour Party.
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accepted to be Obi’s running mate because 3 top politicians rejected him – Datti Baba-Ahmed opes up
accepted to be Obi’s running mate because 3 top politicians rejected him – Datti Baba-Ahmed opes up
Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has opened up on the circumstances that led him to join forces with Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election, saying his decision was largely driven by sympathy for the former Anambra State governor.
Speaking during an interview with Symphoni, Baba-Ahmed disclosed that Obi had unsuccessfully approached three prominent politicians to be his running mate before eventually turning to him.
According to the former senator, he would have welcomed any of the politicians accepting Obi’s offer, but their refusal left him concerned about both Obi’s political prospects and the state of the country.
Reflecting on their partnership, Baba-Ahmed said, “I have sympathy for him. And this sympathy was at the core of our relationship.”
He explained that Obi’s search for a vice-presidential candidate in 2022 was marked by repeated setbacks, a development he said deeply affected him.
“When he approached three other major politicians in 2022, I would have been glad if one of them had gone with Peter Obi in 2022. But they all avoided him. I felt bad for him and I felt bad for Nigeria as a nation,” Baba-Ahmed said.
He maintained that his decision to join the Labour Party ticket was voluntary and based on personal conviction rather than political calculation.
“I took it upon myself because naturally I have always been a volunteer. For the sake of Nigeria, I extended that sympathy to him,” he added.
The Obi-Baba-Ahmed ticket emerged as one of the most closely followed political movements during the 2023 elections, attracting significant support across different parts of the country.
However, the relationship between the two politicians has since been overshadowed by differences over political strategy and party affiliation.
Baba-Ahmed criticised Obi’s decision to leave the Labour Party amid its prolonged leadership crisis, arguing that internal disputes are common across political organisations and should be resolved rather than avoided.
Questioning Obi’s decision to seek political alternatives, he said: “If Abure was a problem, what makes him think Nwosu or David Mark of ADC will not be a problem? What makes him think Seriake of NDC will not be a problem?”
He further argued that every political platform faces similar challenges.
“So it’s the same thing wherever you go. Stay here and fix the problem and let’s work together. But he decided to move,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed also dismissed suggestions that his political relevance was tied to Obi, stressing that he remains politically independent.
“With due respect, he does not own my politics; he doesn’t own me. I am independent,” he stated.
Following the 2023 elections, Baba-Ahmed aligned himself with the Peoples Redemption Party, while Obi has continued his political activities through new political associations after leaving the Labour Party.
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