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By Oscar Okhifo
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (retd.), has advised the Federal Government to impose a nationwide lockdown as part of a decisive strategy to halt the rising tide of insecurity across the country.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday August 22, Buratai likened the move to the COVID-19 lockdown, arguing that the same level of national mobilization used during the pandemic should now be deployed to confront terrorism, banditry, and other violent crimes in the country.
“The way Nigeria mobilized during COVID-19 by closing its borders and restricting movements can be replicated in fighting insecurity. If the government locks down the country and concentrates fully on this menace, we will see results,” he said.
Buratai, who led the Nigerian Army from 2015 to 2021 at the height of the Boko Haram insurgency, stressed that border security must be central to the strategy. He noted that insurgents and criminal groups often exploit Nigeria’s porous borders to infiltrate and destabilize communities.
Beyond the lockdown, the retired General restated his long-held position that insecurity cannot be solved by military action alone. He called for the involvement of political leaders, traditional rulers, religious figures, and local communities in a collaborative, long-term plan to restore peace.
“The military is only a part of the solution. We need the collective effort of Government, communities, and civil society. Without collaboration, insecurity will remain a challenge,” he added.
Buratai has been consistent in his warnings about the complexity of Nigeria’s security crisis. During his time in office, he cautioned that the fight against terrorism could take up to 20 years, stressing that it required patience, resilience, and non-kinetic approaches alongside military operation.
He had also pushed for the revitalization of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) to strengthen indigenous arms production and reduce reliance on foreign weapons.
Security analysts and public affairs commentators have reacted differently to his latest proposal.
While some described the idea as bold and worth considering, others questioned its feasibility. Dr. Kabiru Adamu, a security consultant, noted that a lockdown could disrupt criminal networks but warned of the heavy economic and social costs.
“A lockdown might help in restricting the movement of terrorists and bandits, but it would also disrupt livelihoods, especially for millions of Nigerians who depend on daily income. Any such move must come with a comprehensive welfare plan,” he said.
Political analyst Jide Ojo argued that while Buratai’s suggestion reflected his military background, governance requires a balance between security and citizens’ welfare.
“Lockdowns worked during COVID-19 because it was a public health emergency, but applying the same to insecurity might hurt more than it helps if not carefully managed,” Ojo explained.
Historian, veteran journalist and military affairs commentator, Babajide Kolade Otitoju, has consistently maintained that Nigeria’s fight against terrorism requires communal and concurrent action. According to him, piecemeal operations across different states have only allowed insurgents to escape, regroup, and return stronger.
“For example, a well-marshalled plan that enables simultaneous operations across all infested states would deny terrorists any escape route. The current modus operandi of focusing on one state while they slip into another will never help much” he said .
Continuing, Otitoju said, “Mobilize enough special troops with enough ground and airpower to unleash the military onslaught at once. It could be a week or two or more, with all exit routes well manned. That would be the silver bullet,” he said.
He dismissed claims that terrorism cannot be defeated, insisting that with strategy, consistency, determination, and well deployed resources, Nigeria can prevail.
“I hate to hear people in uniform say terrorism cannot be defeated. It is a big lie. In Algeria and Sri Lanka, terrorism was defeated. It only takes the right approach,” he said.
Neither the Defense Headquarters or Ministry of Defense has reacted to to Buratai’s suggestions.