Nigeria’s former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, has called on the Federal Government to formally declare war against bandits and insurgents spreading violence across the country.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Irabor noted that no legal framework currently recognizes Nigeria as being at war.
“There are no legal instruments indicating that Nigeria is at war. We’re only assuming that we are at war,” he said.
“There is a need to declare war in order to aggregate the elements of state power directly to the war effort.”
Irabor emphasized that a formal declaration would allow resources to be properly allocated and accountability mechanisms to be established, ensuring that expenditures produce measurable results.
“It will make a huge difference because resourcing will now be properly channelled, and accountability frameworks can be outlined so we can see results,” he said.
“This is not just about military action. It involves the coordinated deployment of all elements of state power beyond just the military.”
The former CDS also highlighted the high costs associated with maintaining security, stressing the need for adequate funding while dismissing claims that the military profits from insecurity. He attributed part of the problem to the actions and inactions of politicians and urged leaders not to politicize security issues.
Irabor, who recently released his book Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, advocated addressing the root causes of insecurity through government policies.
“In my book, I emphasize moving away from relying solely on military power toward using government policies to mitigate risk factors,” he explained.
“If we reduce the number of out-of-school children, provide jobs for vulnerable populations, and create opportunities for at-risk youth, we can limit the pool of recruits available to criminals.”
Several states, particularly in northern Nigeria, have faced violent attacks by bandits, resulting in numerous deaths and destruction of property. For instance, the April 15, 2025, attack in Benue State left many homes burned and lives lost.
President Bola Tinubu, in his nationwide broadcast marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day, stated that peace has returned to many liberated communities in the North-East and North-West. He praised the sacrifices of the armed forces and security agencies, asserting that the military is making significant progress in combating terrorism.
“Peace has returned to hundreds of our liberated communities, and thousands have safely returned home,” Tinubu said.
“They are winning the war against terrorism, banditry, and other violent crimes. We see their victories in their blood and sweat as they combat Boko Haram in the North-East, IPOB/ESN terror in the South-East, and banditry and kidnappings across the country.”
