Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has recounted how the administration of then-President Olusegun Obasanjo decisively quelled the nascent Boko Haram insurgency in 2002, crediting swift action and strong leadership for the outcome.
Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja during a courtesy visit by stakeholders from Kogi East Senatorial District—led by former Deputy Governor Simon Achuba—Atiku said the early threat posed by the group was effectively neutralized due to prompt and coordinated action.
Sharing a video of his remarks via Facebook on Thursday, Atiku said:
“You may recall when Boko Haram first emerged in Yobe State in 2002. At the time, I was Vice President. President Obasanjo called me and asked, ‘VP, what should we do about this?’ I advised that we summon the Service Chiefs and give them a firm deadline to resolve the situation—failing which they should resign.
“He took the advice. We met with the Service Chiefs and issued clear marching orders. Within a matter of weeks, they had successfully suppressed the insurgency in Yobe. It did not resurface until after we had left office.”
Atiku contrasted this early response with what he described as a lack of urgency by subsequent administrations, which, he said, allowed the insurgency to re-emerge and spiral into a protracted national crisis.
“The absence of political will is the root cause of the security challenges we face today. When innocent citizens are being killed, and leaders remain indifferent, that is the height of irresponsibility,” he stated.
“I hold successive leaderships accountable for the widespread insecurity across the country.”
I could nott ressist commenting. Well written!