Buratai Challenges FG: Declare State of Emergency on Northern Poverty to Defeat Terrorism

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (retd.), has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on poverty in Northern Nigeria, arguing that addressing economic hardship is essential to defeating terrorism and achieving lasting peace.

Buratai made the appeal on Friday, November 6, 2026, in Lagos, during the public presentation of a book titled Beyond Military Force: A Strategy for Countering Terrorism in Nigeria, authored by Dr Joan Ugo Mbagwu, a Professor of Peace, Criminology and Security Studies at Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The retired military chief maintained that Nigeria cannot rely exclusively on military operations to defeat terrorism without addressing the social and economic conditions that make vulnerable individuals susceptible to extremist recruitment.

Buratai Identifies Poverty as a Security Challenge

According to Buratai, poverty, unemployment, poor governance and illiteracy are among the factors that create opportunities for terrorist groups to recruit and manipulate vulnerable young people.

He argued that military operations could weaken terrorist organisations but would not automatically eliminate the grievances and social conditions that sustain extremist recruitment.

He explained that military force should support effective governance rather than replace the responsibilities of civilian institutions.

Buratai stated that sustainable peace requires economic opportunities, community engagement, quality education and social interventions alongside security operations.

He particularly identified out-of-school children, the Almajiri education system, youth unemployment, vocational training and social protection as areas requiring urgent government attention.

Former Army Chief Calls for Better Intelligence and Community Trust

Beyond economic interventions, Buratai stressed the importance of intelligence gathering and cooperation between security agencies and local communities.

He maintained that residents often possess valuable information about suspicious activities but may hesitate to cooperate with security personnel when trust is lacking.

The former army chief also warned that security operations conducted without adequate respect for human rights could alienate communities and provide extremist organisations with opportunities to strengthen their propaganda and recruitment efforts.

He called for stronger counter-terrorism capabilities within the Nigeria Police Force, arguing that the military should not remain responsible for duties that properly belong to civilian security institutions.

According to him, continuously assigning civilian responsibilities to the military could overstretch the armed forces while leaving the underlying causes of insecurity unresolved.

Research Highlights the Role of Economic Conditions

Buratai also referenced findings from research conducted across Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi and Niger states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the findings he presented, 84 per cent of respondents linked terrorist recruitment to poor economic conditions and the Almajiri situation.

He further disclosed that 92 per cent believed community members could contribute significantly to intelligence gathering, while 86 per cent considered negotiation potentially helpful in addressing terrorism.

The figures were presented as findings from the research associated with the book and underline the importance of examining security challenges beyond military confrontation alone. Buratai’s proposal has added to the ongoing national conversation about the relationship between poverty, unemployment, education and insecurity in Northern Nigeria.

While military operations remain important in confronting armed groups, his recommendations highlight the need for a broader strategy involving economic development, effective governance, community cooperation and improved social protection.

The major challenge before the Federal Government is ensuring that poverty reduction programmes reach vulnerable communities, create meaningful opportunities for young people and are protected from political interference.

OGM News NG will continue to monitor developments surrounding Nigeria’s security challenges and the Federal Government’s response to calls for a comprehensive approach to tackling terrorism.