Nigeria TV Info — Obasanjo Raises Alarm Over Entrenchment of Boko Haram Insurgency

Abuja, Nigeria — Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed deep concern that the Boko Haram insurgency is gradually becoming entrenched in Nigeria, stressing that the nation must confront itself with tough questions on how it has managed the crisis over the past 15 years.

Obasanjo spoke at the public presentation of the book Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, where he highlighted that the insurgents initially demanded little more than “a better life,” but their campaign of violence has since evolved into a national menace.

“In short, they were looking for a better life. And any other thing attached to that is a better life for them. Have we understood that? If we have, have we taken the steps that we should take?

“If we have, why is it that after 15 years, Boko Haram is now virtually becoming part of our life? Should we accept that? If we should not accept it, what should we do? How much do we know — even from the other side, and from this side?

“Have we been active enough? Have we been proactive enough? 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,” Obasanjo stated.

The former President explained that his decision to write the foreword to the book was driven by his anxiety over the insurgency and its long-term consequences for Nigeria.

“That was why I was very anxious, if I can put it that way. And I was delighted to write the foreword. And having written the foreword, I thought my work, my job was done,” he added.

Earlier at the event, Obasanjo had set the tone by laying down speaking rules, making it clear that only the keynote speaker, book reviewer, author, special guest of honour, and the President’s representative were exempt from a five-minute speaking limit.