Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, former Chief of Army Staff under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has called for a nationwide border lockdown to combat Nigeria’s escalating security challenges, drawing parallels to the COVID-19 lockdown measures.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, August 22, 2025, Buratai emphasized that sealing Nigeria’s borders could help curb the activities of terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers plaguing the nation.
Buratai argued that a lockdown, similar to the one implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, would enable authorities to focus resources and efforts on flushing out criminal elements.
“We can lock down this country to make sure everybody concentrates and deals with this cankerworm called terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and so on,” he stated, highlighting the need for a unified national response.
He cited the collective mobilization during the Maiduguri flood crisis as an example of how Nigeria can rally to address pressing issues.
The former army chief stressed that allowing insurgency to persist poses a grave danger to the country’s stability.
He advocated for community resilience, urging collaboration among political, traditional, and religious leaders to develop lasting solutions.
Buratai also noted that the Nigerian military should be viewed as a solution to insecurity rather than a hindrance, calling for increased public support and psychological mobilization through media and community engagement.
On the issue of state police, Buratai acknowledged its potential but cautioned that it could be misused by politicians to suppress opponents unless safeguards against political interference are established.
He reiterated warnings he issued before leaving office, stating that without a long-term strategy, Nigeria’s insurgency could persist, undermining national development.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users