Atiku Explains How Former Nigerian President Obasanjo Ended Boko Haram Threat in Weeks

• Former vice president Atiku Abubakar revealed how President Obasanjo swiftly crushed Boko Haram in 2002 through decisive military action
• Atiku recounted giving the service chiefs an ultimatum to end the insurgency or resign, resulting in the threat being subdued within weeks
• Atiku criticised subsequent governments for lacking political will, blaming them for allowing Boko Haram to regroup and the continued insecurity in Nigeria

FCT, Abuja - Former vice president Atiku Abubakar has disclosed how then-president Olusegun Obasanjo swiftly crushed the Boko Haram insurgency when it first emerged in 2002.

Speaking during a visit by stakeholders from Kogi East senatorial district in Abuja, Atiku highlighted the importance of political will and decisive action in ending the threat.

Obasanjo’s swift response to Boko Haram emergence

Atiku recounted the early days of the insurgency, which began in Yobe state in 2002 while they were in office, Vanguard reported.

“The president sent for me and asked, ‘VP, what do we do about this? I said, ‘Mr President, let’s call the Service Chiefs and give them a deadline. If they can’t put it down, then they should put down their uniform and go away. We will get some other people," Atiku said.

He added,

“He called the Service Chiefs, I was there, and gave them marching orders. Within a few weeks, they put down the insurgency in Yobe. It never came up again until we left office.”

Criticism of later governments’ inaction

Atiku did not spare criticism for subsequent administrations, accusing them of allowing Boko Haram to regroup due to a lack of political will, Punch reported.

“So, I will say there’s a lack of political will on the leaders. When they’re killing your citizens, how can you even eat? They’re killing your citizens and you don’t give a d@mn; that is the greatest irresponsibility by any political leader, anywhere,” he said.

He emphasised that the failure of later leadership is responsible for the ongoing insecurity across Nigeria.

“So I hold our leadership responsible for all the insecurity that is going on all over the place,” Atiku concluded.

Legit.ng reports that successive governments in Nigeria have struggled to effectively tackle the persistent threats posed by banditry, Boko Haram, and other insurgent groups. Despite numerous military operations and security initiatives, these violent actors continue to wreak havoc across large swathes of the country, particularly in the North-East and North-West regions.

The inability to completely dismantle these groups has resulted in countless deaths, widespread displacement, and severe disruptions to economic and social life.

Tinubu advised to sack Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru

Previously, Legit.ng reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was facing mounting calls to sack Mohammed Badaru, Nigeria's minister of Defence.

This followed concerns from elected public officials over Badaru's handling of Nigeria’s alleged deteriorating security situation.

In a press statement issued on Monday, May 12, and signed by its executive director (ED), Ms. Amina Mohammed, Ethics Vanguard criticised the former governor of Jigawa state for allegedly failing to safeguard lives and property, declaring that insecurity has reached a critical level.

Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng