Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has said that terrorism may persist in the West African nation for another 20 years.
The COAS said, “There is a general misunderstanding of what insurgency and terrorism entail. There is the likelihood of terrorism persisting in Nigeria for another 20 years.
“It only depends on the level of escalation and the appropriate responses by all stakeholders both civil and military authorities. Also by both local in international actors. Citizens responsibility is equally important and imperative. All must cooperate to contain the lingering insecurity. Let there be collective action and responsibility.”
Buratai’s comment, shared on Facebook, comes days after no fewer than 43 rice farmers were murdered in Borno State, northeast Nigeria, by insurgents.
Following the brutal murder of the farmers, who were reported tied and their throats slit, opposition politicians had called for the sacking of Nigeria’s service chiefs, including Buratai.
Some governors of states in northern Nigeria, hardest hit by the insurgency, have called for the government to use foreign mercenaries to protect civilians.