By Augustine Ehikioya
For the support to the military that led to the defeat of the Boko Haram terrorists, the Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai (Rtd) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari.
Buratai, in a report monitored by Security Watch Africa (SWA), made the commendation on Friday in Yola, Adamawa State, at the 24th, 25th and 26th combined convocation lecture of Modibbo Adama University, Yola.
Buratai, who was the formal Chief of Army Staff, was the Guest Lecturer at the occasion.
According to him, the current Service Chiefs are doing tremendously well because of the immense support and strategic direction of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The support, he said, has led to the defeat of the Boko Haram terrorists and other successes being recorded.
The underdevelopment of the North-East, he said, was the major factor fuelling insurgency and insecurity in the geopolitical zone.
He said “Any country that does not ensure the development of its people would have security challenges. We should not rely on the military option as the only way to resolve our security challenges.
“We must address the ideological, economic, social, and political factors.
“My recent diplomatic foray has further sharpened my views on the urgent need for military, as well as non-military solution to the lingering and needless conflict,” he stated.
According to him, the situation requires synergy, political will, sacrifice and commitment of government, civil society, traditional rulers and all stakeholders to curtail the sporadic attacks and bring the conflict to a permanent conclusion.
“Central to the argument of this paper is that security and development in the North-East should not be addressed individually but as one intrinsic element and that development is a requirement for stabilisation,” he said.
He also explained that anyone that only relied on the military and other instruments of coercion to resolve an insurgency such as Boko Haram terrorism is bound to continue to suffer insecurity.