Lock Down Nigeria To Tackle Insecurity, Buratai Tells FG
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| A Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt General Yusuf Tukur Buratai (Retd) |
A Former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, on Friday advised the federal government to consider a nationwide lockdown as a strategy to decisively tackle banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and other criminal activities.
Buratai, a retired Lieutenant-General, who stated this on Friday when he appeared in Channels Television, compared COVID-19 scourge with present insecurity in the country.
The former Ambassador argued that if the same mobilization of resources and people deployed during the pandemic were also deployed to tackle insecurity, it would have ended.
He also referenced collective efforts during the Maiduguri flood crisis when Nigerians rallied to support Borno State, stressing that a similar approach could strengthen the fight against insecurity.
It was gathered that the general’s suggestion came on the heels of the National Human Rights Commission’s latest report, where it raised concerns over worsening violations of the right to life and freedoms.
The commission had lamented that despite government efforts, over 50 people were reportedly killed in separate attacks this week alone.
Speaking during the appearance, Buratai maintained that the issue of insecurity should not be left to the military alone but treated as a national crisis requiring collective efforts and sacrifice.
“When there are national crises, we need to mobilise everybody, not just the military alone. Look at COVID-19 – how much was spent, how much was invested into information, communication, advertisement, palliatives, and preventive measures.
“The whole nation was locked down because of COVID-19. We can do the same thing. We can lock down this country to make sure that everybody concentrates and deals with this cankerworm of so-called terrorists and bandits,” the former top army officer said.
He further noted that before leaving office as Chief of Army Staff, he had warned that the insurgency could last longer than expected if a long-term strategy was not adopted.
“Just before I left office, and immediately after I was appointed ambassador to the Republic of Benin, I sent a note of warning that this insurgency may last longer.
“It is not something that you just wish away. We really need to have a long-term plan,” he added.
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