Former chief of army staff, Turkur Buratai, says it may take 20 years to put a stop to criminal activities in the north-east.
The former chief of army staff said this while he was being quizzed by the National Assembly following his recommendation by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The ex-general said the political, social and economic faults that were not corrected by successive governments have increased the criminal activities.
“The situation is that of asymmetric warfare. It is a complex operation. It is something that started more than 30, 40 years ago. They have penetrated communities both in Nigeria, Chad, Niger,” he said.
“Five local governments in Borno state cannot have good access roads since independence till now.
“The same thing in the north-west. There are so many ungovernable spaces and until those locations are penetrated with the right infrastructure and amenities, then we will carry everybody along and education is very fundamental.
“These are the realities, the truth must be told because this cannot end at the dictates of time and may take another 20 years and that is the truth.
“Only the military is seen to solve this thing but it is not. Military cannot solve this action. In the first place, it wasn’t the military that started it.”
Buratai said when he assumed office in 2015, the army had no equipment.
Only the military is look upon to solve this thing but it is not supposed to be that way. Military cannot solve this action. In the first place, it wasn’t the military that started it.”
Buratai disclosed when he assumed office in 2015, the army had no battle equipment.
“Today we have invented our own indigenous vehicles to change the narrative,” the former army chief said.
“Most of those areas that were occupied by Boko Haram terrorists have been taken over by our troops. We need more training, manpower and equipment to sustain it.”
