It will take 20 years to address insecurity in Nigeria – Buratai

Immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, says it will take Nigeria 20 years to address its security challenges.

He stated this on Thursday when he appeared before the Senator Adamu Muhammad Bulkachuwa-led Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for screening as an ambassadorial nominee.

According to him, intelligence capacity of the army has been very low.

He also contended that the military alone could not solve the problem.

The former army chief also noted that the too many ungovernable spaces would need to have government presence.

Buratai who noted that the warfare had permeated the society, said that they had won the communities to their side, adding that It would require a multi-pronged approach and that military warfare is just one aspect.

He said, “The military alone cannot solve this. There should be hospitals, schools, roads and government presence in these communities.

“There are so many ungovernable spaces and until these spaces have government presence, it will not be resolved.”

Buratai along with other former service chiefs who were appointed ambassador-designates appeared for the screening before the committee.

Others are retired Chief of Defence Staff, Abayomi Olonisakin; former Navy Chief, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, and former Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar.