Insecurity: Only Nigerian Forces Can Defeat Terrorists — Ex Army Chief Warns

A former Director of Operations at the Army Headquarters, Major General Ijioma N. Ijioma (rtd), has cautioned Nigerians against expecting United States troops recently deployed to Nigeria to directly confront bandits and terrorists on the battlefield, stressing that the burden of defeating insurgency rests squarely on Nigeria’s Armed Forces.

The warning follows the arrival of a small US military team in Nigeria to support ongoing efforts against terrorism, banditry, and other security threats. The Head of the US Military’s Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Dagvin R. M. Anderson, had earlier said the deployment was part of enhanced collaboration between Nigeria and the US, aimed at bringing “unique capabilities” to the fight against terrorism.

While details of the team’s size and mandate were not disclosed, findings indicate that the US troops will focus mainly on intelligence gathering, technical assistance, and operational support, rather than direct combat.

Speaking on the development, Gen. Ijioma (rtd) accused Nigeria’s leadership of lacking the political will required to decisively crush insurgency, arguing that foreign involvement would not have been necessary if decisive actions had been taken earlier.

According to him, if the 1967 Biafran insurgency had been handled with the same restraint currently shown toward Boko Haram and armed bandits, Nigeria might not have remained united.

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“If the Federal Government had treated the Biafran insurgency the way bandits and Boko Haram are treated today, there would have been a Biafra Republic by now,” he said.

The retired general urged Nigerians to demand accountability from their leaders, questioning why terrorists continue to enjoy what he described as leniency, despite ongoing killings across the country.

He also warned that the United States does not deploy its troops without strategic interests, urging Nigerians to ask what form of agreement or compensation exists between both countries.

“The US does not risk the lives of its soldiers for nothing,” he said.

Gen. Ijioma insisted that recent foreign-assisted airstrikes on terrorist camps had not significantly weakened insurgents, noting that Nigerian fighter jets are capable of reaching any location within the country.

“The strike the US carried out in Sokoto and Kwara — is there anywhere our aircraft cannot reach? There is no place within Nigeria that our fighter jets cannot bomb. What we lack is political will,” he argued.

He further questioned why Nigeria could swiftly deploy troops and fighter jets to Benin Republic to quell an attempted coup, while bandits continue to operate freely within Nigeria.

“Fighter jets went to Benin Republic on the President’s order. What does that tell you? It tells you clearly that there is no political will,” he said.

Gen. Ijioma emphasized that the role of US troops would be limited to training, intelligence sharing, and logistical and technical support, adding that they would not engage terrorists directly on Nigerian soil.

He recalled past military cooperation with the US during the first tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, when American personnel reportedly occupied parts of the Defence Headquarters — a move strongly opposed by the late Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Victor Malu, which allegedly led to his removal.

Adding his voice, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG Goodwin Nwobodo, warned that the success of the collaboration depends on Nigeria’s willingness to cooperate genuinely, especially in intelligence sharing.

He noted that previous collaborations failed due to lack of trust, stressing that US forces could only provide technical know-how, not fight Nigeria’s war.

“Under international law, they are here to support Nigeria. They cannot operate independently unless there is a full military intervention, which would create serious complications,” he said.

Meanwhile, several security experts welcomed the collaboration but urged the Federal Government to make bold demands for advanced military hardware, modern intelligence technology, and improved training and welfare for frontline troops.

A former ECOMOG officer, Captain Effiong Eyo (rtd), called on Nigeria to leverage its strategic importance to demand heavy military equipment and enhanced intelligence capabilities from the US, arguing that political constraints — not capacity — have hindered Nigeria’s fight against insecurity.

Other stakeholders, including conflict resolution experts, security consultants, and regional leaders, agreed that while foreign assistance is necessary, lasting peace would only come with strong political resolve, adequate equipment, motivated personnel, and transparent leadership.

Insecurity: Only Nigerian Forces Can Defeat Terrorists — Ex Army Chief Warns