Boko Haram: Nigerian Army Goes Spiritual

Army Committed To Defeating Boko Haram – Buratai

The Nigerian Army has adopted the use of spiritual warfare as part of efforts to totally overcome the Boko Haram terrorists and other forms of insurgency in the country.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai made the disclosure at the 2019 Chaplains annual Training Conference and Retreat on Tuesday in Sokoto where he was represented by Brig.-Gen. Timothy Olowomeye, the Director Civil Military Affairs.

The event has the theme: “The Non-Kinetic Strength in the face of Armed Banditry and other Security Challenges: The Role of the Military Chaplains.”

In his submission, the army chief noted that conventional means alone might not be sufficient to defeat insurgency in the country.

“We were involved in a joint seminar on Spiritual Warfare as an effective means against insurgency and other forms of restiveness.

“Boko Haram and the likes cannot be defeated by kinetic military warfare alone.

“Finding appropriate counter-narratives against these violent extremist sects will immensely be a big push towards eradicating their negative activities in Nigeria,” he said.

Buratai linked the insurgency in the land to some distorted religious beliefs noting that spiritual and religious leaders have a big role to play in turning the tide and winning the war against insurgency.

He went ahead to commend the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in providing needed support to the army in combating the terrorists.

“These tendencies have caused disorder and wanton destruction of lives and property of many innocent citizens who have continued to look unto the government for solace.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has continued to offer succour and renewing the hope of the country’s citizens through the relentless efforts of our Armed Forces and other security agencies.

“We, therefore, must call to mind always that the noble task of protecting the territorial integrity of the nation while also being proactively involved in aid of our civil authority is our prime responsibility,” Buratai said.

Speaking also, the Coordinator, Directorate of Civil Military Affairs (DCMA), Brig.-Gen. Charles Chidebere, said the event was a reminder that all forms of religious extremism must be resisted.

“We must refute in strongest terms possible all forms of extreme religious fanaticism and its attendant security threat to the nation,” he said.