Irabor: My Boko Haram Book is for Soul-Searching, Not Indictment
Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retd.), has clarified that his newly launched book on Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram is not an attempt to indict anyone, but a call for sober national reflection.
Irabor made this known on Friday during the public presentation of the book, Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, held in Abuja.
According to him, the publication documents Nigeria’s decades-long struggle with insurgency while urging citizens and leaders to confront the realities of insecurity with sincerity and commitment.
“Scars, the Journey, and Boko Haram Conundrum is not an indictment; it is a national soul-searching presentation. It is an awakening reality to either act dutifully for progress, or do nothing and turn towards extinction,” the retired general stated.
He explained that the book is designed to stimulate conversation and inspire credible, actionable solutions to Nigeria’s security challenges.
Irabor, who served as Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff from January 2021 to June 2023, played a pivotal role in military operations against Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), two of the country’s most dangerous insurgent groups. His new work goes beyond a simple recounting of battles, capturing the profound scars left by years of conflict—the human, social, and institutional toll—and emphasizing important lessons that must be heeded if Nigeria is to achieve sustainable peace.
The recent event held in Abuja to present this work attracted a diverse group of military veterans, scholars, security experts, and policymakers. These attendees praised Irabor for his dedication to documenting his firsthand experiences and insights, recognizing that such contributions are essential not only for preserving institutional memory but also for informing future military strategy and policy decisions. By bridging the gap between military operations and policymaking, Irabor’s reflections offer valuable perspectives that can help shape Nigeria’s ongoing counter-insurgency efforts and post-conflict recovery. Furthermore, the work serves to educate military personnel, influence security policies, and raise public awareness about the complexities involved in Nigeria’s fight against insurgency.
Acknowledging the scars of conflict is also a vital step toward national healing and reconciliation, fostering a shared commitment to peace and stability. Overall, the event underscored the significance of Irabor’s contribution to Nigeria’s security narrative and the broader goal of building lasting peace in the country.
