Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has shared his insights into the Boko Haram insurgency, shedding light on why the crisis continues to affect Nigeria years after the group’s major attacks.
Speaking on Friday as Chairman during the launch of Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, authored by former Chief of Defence Staff General Lucky Irabor (rtd.), in Abuja, Obasanjo offered a unique perspective on the roots of the insurgency.
Boko Haram Motivated by Better Living, Not Politics
According to Obasanjo, Boko Haram’s origins were driven less by political or religious objectives and more by the pursuit of a better life.
“I found, yes, there was Boko Haram. I found they were not really aiming for anything political or anything seriously religious. But in short, they were looking for a better life. And any other thing attached to that is a better life for them,” he stated.
Questioning Nigeria’s Response to the Crisis
The former Nigerian president raised critical questions about the nation’s response to the insurgency, stressing that appropriate measures could have mitigated the threat long ago.
“Have we understood that? If we have, have we taken the steps that we should take? If we have, why are we, after fifteen years, Boko Haram is not virtually becoming part of our life? Should we accept that? If we should not accept, what should we do? How much do we know?” Obasanjo asked.
He further emphasized the need for proactive and united action across all sectors to address the growing threat.
“I think we have to ask ourselves the necessary questions to be able to deal with this thing that is now becoming a monster within our country,” he added.
Distinguished Guests Attend the Event
The book launch also saw the attendance of prominent Nigerians, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (represented by Minister of Defense Abubakar Bagudu), Sultan of Sokoto Sa’ad Abubakar, and Bishop Hassan Kukah, among others.
