Boko Haram: Nigeria cannot allow 2009 crisis to persist, Tinubu says

Orders service chiefs to end terrorism

By Kunle Sanni –

President Bola Tinubu has declared that Nigeria must bring an end to the Boko Haram insurgency and other forms of insecurity that have plagued the country since 2009, warning that his administration will no longer tolerate excuses from the military.

Speaking at the Presidential Villa on Thursday during the decoration of the newly appointed service chiefs with their new ranks, President Tinubu said the time had come to end the long-running crisis that began with the Boko Haram uprising in 2009.

“We cannot allow the crisis that began in 2009 to persist any longer. I charge you, as the heads of our nation’s armed forces, to carry out your duties with patriotic zeal,” the President said.

“Nigerians expect results, not excuses. I also urge you to be innovative, pre-emptive, and courageous. Let’s stay ahead of those who seek to threaten our peace and deploy technology where necessary.”

The ceremony, held at the Council Chambers of the State House, was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, several governors, ministers, and senior government officials.

Tinubu noted that while the armed forces have reclaimed territories once controlled by insurgents, new armed groups are emerging across parts of the North-Central, North-West, and South, warning the military to act swiftly.

Boko Haram was founded by Mohammed Yusuf in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State in northeastern Nigeria. Initially, it started as a religious movement officially known as Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (meaning “People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet’s Teachings and Jihad”).

The movement became violent after 2009, when Nigerian security forces clashed with its members and killed Yusuf. Thereafter, the group re-emerged under Abubakar Shekau’s leadership, launching a brutal insurgency involving bombings, kidnappings, and attacks across northeastern Nigeria and neighbouring countries.