Military Can’t End Boko Haram – Gen. Akinrinade
Military Can’t End Boko Haram – Gen. Akinrinade
By Alex Uangbaoje
Lieutenant General Alani Akinrinade (Rtd)
Former Chief of Defense Staff, has said that only politicians, economists and not military as believed in many quarters has
solution to Boko Haram insurgence.
The retired General made this declaration in Kaduna while chairing a seminar on the Africa’s big Five, titled, a ‘Power and Influence in Africa’, organised by Gusau Institute, owned by the former Minister of Defense, General Mohammed Ibrahim Gusau (rtd).
The big five are countries in africa with emerging power which are Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria and South Africa, with Nigeria having upper hand of becoming leading in the world by the year 2040 if necessary measures are put in place.
Gen. Akinrinade said, “Let me say a word or two again about Boko Haram, I have heard a lot of discussions about Boko Haram from many people. I must say that I am lost about the causes of Boko Haram, and I am sure most of our country men are also lost. I want to charge this institute to take this matter very seriously.
“But I am not aware of any military doctrine that has been put down that has addressed effectively guerrilla warfare, which is easier . But this kind of insurrection we are now having in our hands have never been addressed by any military doctrine successfully .
“So I am aware that military solution is not going to be the end of Boko Haram. So the ball is in the court of politicians, economists and those that have human sympathy that could bring solution to this crisis.
“We have all agreed to treat constitutional issues and maintain Federal character, but it has been bastardised with corruption that has taken over the constitution.
“We fought the civil war to keep this country and we must honour our founding fathers because they bestowed a befitting country to us. We did what we did because the situation at that time dictated it so”, stated.
Speaking on why African countries are no where to be found on the world map in terms of development, Former Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor Ango Abdullahi, said though many variables might have caused African Position in global economy today including decades of colonial rules.
He however differed on whether it was as a result of colonization that has warrant that, noting that there were several other countries that were equally colonized and today, they are doing well. He added that whole problem centered on leadership problem.
