Buratai Urges FG to Declare Poverty Emergency in North

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on poverty in Northern Nigeria as part of efforts to tackle terrorism and insecurity.

Buratai argued that widespread poverty and economic deprivation in the region must be addressed alongside military operations to achieve lasting peace and stability.

The former army chief said poverty creates conditions that criminal and extremist groups could exploit to recruit vulnerable individuals, making economic intervention an important component of the country’s security strategy.

He urged the government to adopt a comprehensive approach that combines security operations with policies capable of improving livelihoods, expanding economic opportunities and reducing hardship among vulnerable communities.

Buratai’s position highlights the relationship between socioeconomic challenges and insecurity, particularly in parts of Northern Nigeria affected by insurgency, banditry and kidnapping.

The region continues to face development challenges, including unemployment, limited access to quality education, weak infrastructure and disruptions to farming and other economic activities caused by insecurity.

His call comes amid renewed national debate over how to address the country’s security challenges and the underlying conditions that sustain violence.

Buratai, who served as Chief of Army Staff from 2015 to 2021, has repeatedly advocated long-term strategies and broader national mobilisation to address insecurity, warning that military action alone would not resolve the crisis.

He is urging the Federal Government to give poverty reduction the urgency required to complement security interventions and improve conditions across Northern communities.