Terrorism Could Persist in Nigeria For Another 20 Years, Army Chief Says

As Nigerians continue to battle the horrors perpetrated by terrorists, the country’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has said that “there is (a) likelihood of terrorism persisting in Nigeria for another 20 years”.

His comments, in his verified Facebook post, come in the wake of the massacre by a Boko Haram faction of at least 43 people while they were working in a rice field in northeastern Nigeria.

Terrorist group Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the attack and said 76 farmers were slaughtered in the Zabarmari area of Borno state.

Following Saturday’s killings, there have been several calls for Buratai to be replaced. Some governors of states in northern Nigeria, hardest hit by the insurgency, have called for the government to use foreign mercenaries.

The head of the army said: “there is general misunderstanding of what insurgency and terrorism entail. There is likelihood of terrorism persisting in Nigeria for another 20 years.

“It only depends on the level of escalation and the appropriate responses by all stakeholders both civil and military authorities. Also by both local and international actors.

“Citizens responsibility is equally important and imperative. All must cooperate to contain the lingering insecurity. Let there be collective action and responsibility.”

He however did not specify what the action should be.

By Abel Ejikeme

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