Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has explained the complexities behind the prolonged fight against Boko Haram.
The group, initially targeting soft spots, escalated their violence with suicide bombings, including attacks on police buildings and the United Nations office in Abuja in 2011. This led the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in 2012, which was extended through 2013 to cover the entire northeast of Nigeria.
Since the insurgency began in 2013, tens of thousands have been killed, and 2.3 million people have been displaced.
Appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, January 24, General Musa addressed the challenges contributing to the ongoing struggle against the insurgents. He pointed out that despite being active for 16 years, Boko Haram continues to survive, raising questions about their funding and support. He emphasized that they are driven by a deep ideology, making them extremely difficult to defeat.
According to Musa, unlike conventional warfare, where the objective is to capture territory, fighting insurgents who have no regard for life or international laws is far more challenging. Boko Haram fighters are motivated by a belief that their actions are justified, making them unpredictable and hard to identify. Additionally, the group often uses human shields to protect themselves from military strikes, further complicating operations.
Musa also stressed the constraints faced by the military, noting that while conventional warfare could flatten communities with the necessary equipment, doing so is not an option in this scenario due to the risk of civilian casualties and international scrutiny.
He concluded that the situation is exceedingly difficult, as the military is bound by international and domestic laws while dealing with an enemy who operates without such restrictions.
