Obasanjo Crushed Boko Haram Within Weeks As President – Atiku
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said former President Olusegun Obasanjo crushed the Boko Haram insurgency within weeks when it first emerged in 2002.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday during a visit by stakeholders from Kogi East Senatorial District, led by ex-Kogi Deputy Governor Simon Achuba, Atiku attributed the swift action to decisive leadership and political will.
According to him, Obasanjo summoned the Service Chiefs after a consultation and issued them a deadline to end the threat.
Atiku said, “You remember when the Boko Haram started in Yobe? It was actually in 2002. We were in office. The president sent for me. ‘VP, what do we do about this?’ Then 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’.
“And he called the Service Chiefs, I was there, and gave them marching orders, and within a few weeks, they put down the insurgency in Yobe. It never came up again until we left office.”
The former vice president faulted subsequent governments for allowing the insurgents to regroup, accusing them of lacking the political will to protect Nigerians.
“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 damn; that is the greatest irresponsibility by any political leader, anywhere,” he said.
Atiku blamed Nigeria’s insecurity problems on what he described as failure of leadership.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
