The head of the Nigerian army, Tukur Buratai, has revealed that the challenge of completely eradicating insurgency in the North-East region of the country is due to longstanding propaganda and hardcore ideology that began over four decades ago. Buratai, in an interview with Daily Trust, explained that the indoctrination of Boko Haram members, which influenced their involvement in the terrorist group, dates back to over 40 years.
According to Buratai, the tactics of insurgency and terrorism involve promoting propaganda to undermine the effectiveness of government institutions, exploiting economic and political fault lines, and enhancing discord among various ethnic and religious groups. He emphasized that the process of de-radicalizing individuals who have been indoctrinated over a long period is complex and cannot be achieved within a short timeframe.
Buratai also highlighted the Nigerian army’s ongoing efforts to target Boko Haram members both individually and as a group, with the aim of narrowing down their overall leader. He cited instances where the Air Force conducted successful operations that resulted in the elimination of several Boko Haram commanders.
The army chief emphasized that the insurgency did not emerge overnight but rather has been a long-standing issue that requires sustained intelligence and military operations to address effectively.