How to Defeat Boko Haram War — Former CDS Irabor
Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (rtd), has emphasized that the political leadership must assume full responsibility for Nigeria’s long-running war against Boko Haram insurgency and the wider insecurity plaguing the nation. According to him, “the battle cannot be won through military might alone.”
The retired general made this known on Friday during an interview with Arise Television, where he discussed his newly released book titled “Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum.”
Speaking to PulseNets, Irabor revealed that successive administrations had failed to establish the legal and political frameworks required to bring the protracted conflict to a conclusive end. He explained that while Nigeria continues to rely heavily on the armed forces, the government has not provided the constitutional backing to make the fight holistic and sustainable.
In his words,
“What I observed, and I made this very clear in the book, is that both past and present governments have not deemed it necessary to legally declare war on Boko Haram and other forms of insecurity. Without that declaration by the National Assembly, the constitutional provisions that should be activated during wartime remain dormant, and the full strength of state power is never truly deployed.”
Irabor, who once led Operation Lafiya Dole, recounted several notable military achievements under his command, including the capture of Alagano, the clearance of Sambisa Forest, and the neutralization of top Boko Haram commanders.
Reflecting on his time in service, he told PulseNets that while his team achieved remarkable success on the battlefield, true victory requires more than guns and strategy.
“It would have been satisfying to see Boko Haram completely defeated during the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said. “But wars of this nature are not chess games. Being a military strategist doesn’t mean every violent problem can be solved with military precision. That’s why I’m advocating for a paradigm shift—one that combines other instruments of national power beyond the hard power of the military.”
Also Read: Boko Haram Attacks ISWAP Strongholds in Northern Borno
Irabor’s remarks, as learnt by PulseNets, echo growing calls from security experts who believe that Nigeria’s fight against insurgency requires a broader, government-led strategy that blends political will, legal authority, intelligence coordination, and community engagement to deliver lasting peace.
