A former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has warned that Nigeria cannot successfully overcome insecurity by relying only on the military, stressing that such dependence could undermine long-term stability.

According to a post shared on X by security analyst Zagazola Makama, Buratai made the remarks during a recent interview on Channels Television, where he called for what he described as a “whole-of-society approach” to tackling insecurity.

He explained that the fight against insurgent groups, including Boko Haram, should involve every sector of the country rather than being left solely to the armed forces.

Buratai noted that although soldiers have remained active in various conflict zones across the country, their operations need stronger support through improved governance, economic development, and social intervention programmes from other institutions and stakeholders.

According to him, many parts of the country are placing too much responsibility on the military, even though several government agencies and different levels of government have roles to play in addressing security challenges.

The former army chief also referred to the National Security Strategy 2019, saying it already outlined a comprehensive framework that includes economic, social, and infrastructure-based solutions to insecurity. However, he questioned whether the strategy has been consistently implemented over time.

Buratai emphasized that defeating insurgency goes beyond military action alone. He pointed out that factors such as unemployment, poverty, and poor infrastructure contribute significantly to instability.

He specifically highlighted the poor condition of roads in conflict areas as a major challenge for military operations. According to him, bad roads slow down troop movements and make personnel more vulnerable to ambushes and improvised explosive devices.

Buratai explained that missions which should normally take about two hours can sometimes last up to five hours due to damaged road networks, giving insurgents more opportunities to set traps or launch attacks.

He added that improving infrastructure, particularly road networks, would greatly enhance the effectiveness of security operations and reduce the risks faced by soldiers in the field.

The retired army chief also urged state governments to focus more on addressing the root causes of insecurity by investing in youth development. He said creating jobs, providing skills training, and supporting economic opportunities for young people are key steps in preventing them from being drawn into violent activities.

On the issue of publicly naming alleged sponsors of terrorism, Buratai said the main focus should be on taking concrete action rather than simply revealing names. He expressed concern that some individuals linked to insurgent activities have not yet faced prosecution.

He concluded by stressing that addressing insecurity in Nigeria requires sustained collaboration between the military, government institutions, and the wider society, adding that adopting a full whole-of-society strategy could help the country achieve lasting peace and stability.