A former Commander of the Vatican Gendarmerie, Domenico Giani, has said military operations alone cannot provide lasting solutions to Nigeria’s security challenges.
Mr Giani, a retired lieutenant general, said lasting peace requires governments to address problems such as poor education, injustice, limited economic opportunities and weak social development.
He spoke on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in Abuja at the public presentation of a book, Military Transformational Leadership in Action: The Buratai Era, written by M.S. Abubakar.
The book examines the tenure of former Chief of Army Staff Tukur Buratai, who led the Nigerian Army from 2015 to 2021.
Mr Giani said contemporary security threats, including terrorism, organised crime and cyber threats, require cooperation among countries and institutions.
He also stressed the need for accountability, transparency and integrity within security institutions, warning that corruption could undermine effective security management.
According to him, military leadership should go beyond operations to strengthening institutions, protecting civilians and building public trust.
He also identified interfaith dialogue and humanitarian support as important in preventing conflict and rebuilding communities affected by violence.
Nigeria has battled several forms of insecurity over the years, including the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east, banditry and kidnapping in the North-west and North-central regions, as well as other violent crimes across the country.
Despite several military operations and changes in the leadership of security agencies, attacks have continued in parts of the country.
Insecurity, poverty, unemployment
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, who also spoke at the event, shared a similar view that Nigeria’s security problems go beyond military operations.
Mr Sanusi said the country’s security crisis did not begin with Boko Haram, terrorism or banditry, arguing that deeper social and economic problems contributed to the situation.
He identified poverty, unemployment and lack of education and opportunities among the factors that make young people vulnerable.
The emir also warned against divisions along ethnic and religious lines and called for greater focus on national identity and development.
He said strong leadership must be supported by strong institutions, including the military, police, judiciary, Central Bank and the media.
Mr Sanusi said such institutions must remain professional and should not be politicised, adding that security planning should extend beyond electoral cycles.
He also urged religious leaders to avoid partisan politics, saying their role should be to speak truth to those in power rather than become politically aligned.
Military reforms
The Minister of Defence, Musa Christopher, said Mr Buratai led the Nigerian Army during a difficult period that demanded institutional commitment and courage on the battlefield.
Mr Christopher said the former army chief introduced reforms in training, equipment, troop welfare and professionalism.
He said one of Mr Buratai’s strengths was his ability to identify and develop officers who later occupied senior positions in the military.
The minister also recalled Mr Buratai’s frequent visits to Maiduguri at the height of the Boko Haram insurgency and his engagement with troops deployed in the North-East.
He described the book as more than a record of the former army chief’s service, saying it also documented how institutional reforms could outlive individual leaders.
Nigerians share responsibility for leadership
The senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, said Nigerians must also accept some responsibility for the quality of political leadership in the country.
Mr Ndume said politicians are products of the society from which they emerge and that citizens cannot place all the blame for the country’s problems on political leaders.
The senator, a former Senate Leader and Chief Whip, called for cooperation between citizens and political leaders in addressing Nigeria’s challenges.
He also expressed optimism about the country’s future and praised Mr Buratai’s service to the country.
Warnings against loss of military experience
The author of the book, Mr Abubakar, said the publication followed about 10 years of research, interviews and documentation of Mr Buratai’s leadership.
He said the book was intended as a study of military leadership rather than simply a tribute to the former army chief.
According to him, failing to document Nigeria’s military experiences could lead to the loss of institutional memory and deny future military leaders lessons from previous security operations.
He said the book examined initiatives during Mr Buratai’s tenure, including military welfare schemes, resource centres, military manufacturing efforts and the establishment of the Nigerian Army University Biu.
Mr Buratai served as Chief of Army Staff between 2015 and 2021, a period when the Nigerian military was heavily involved in counter-insurgency operations against Boko Haram and other armed groups, particularly in the North-East.
