By Mohammad Ibrahim
Kaduna (Nigeria) – Former Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Alani Akinrinade (Rtd) says politicians, economics and those with human sympathy hold the key solution to Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast and not military. .
The Akinrinade who was addressing a seminar on Africa’s Big Five, titled, Power and Influence in Africa, said Nigerians are lost on the causes of the insurgency in the country.
The seminar was organised by Gusau Institute a research library with interest in governance and security.
According to him, he was not aware of any military doctrine that has been put down to effectively address guerrilla warfare, which is easier.
General Akinrinade called on management of Gusau institute to direct its expertise in security issues towards finding lasting solution to Boko Haram in the country.
“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,”
South African Based Executive Director of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), Jakkie Cilliers, deliver a paper on Power and Influence in Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria and South Africa.
He said the five countries will determine the future of the African region.
According to him, Africa is rising but not for all. He said African countries particularly the big five need to do more to catch up with the global powers.
Immediate past Minister of Defence, General Aliyu Mohammed Gusau (rtd) established the institute with the vision to provide qualitative imputs to security management and good governance in Nigeria, Africa and international community.
