In order to effectively defeat Boko Haram, a former Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff, General Martin-Luther Agwai, on Thursday, said that military action alone cannot obliterate terrorism.
He, therefore, recommended to the Nigerian Army authorities to train all Army personnel, irrespective of professional background, as infantry soldiers, saying it was the panacea to defeating Boko Haram terrorists in the North East.
Gen Agwai, who was a former Chief of Army Staff, solicited for adequate funding, training and procurement of modern equipment for personnel.
He spoke as a guest of honour at the 2017 Nigerian Army Day Celebration, NADCEL, in Abuja.
He pointed out that the only option is for the Army to begin to think of having an army dominated by infantry personnel if the war against terrorism must be won.
The ex-military chief, who hinted that Boko-Haram terrorists were after the political class and other high ranking Nigerians, contrary to speculation that the terrorists are only after military personnel, asked citizens not to leave the battle against insurgency only in the hands of the military.
“If people believe that it’s only the military that can bring an end to Boko Haram, they are making a mistake because those who are involved in the fourth generation warfare are after political and not military targets, military power and military achievements,” he said.