Against the backdrop of the lingering war against Boko Haram and other insurgencies in the country, Nigerians have been urged to give maximum support to the men and women of the armed forces to enable them to extinguish the complex war that has bedevilled the nation.
This was disclosed by an erudite scholar, Dr Toyin Oluwatoyin, in a chat with Newsmen in Lokoja, against calls in some quarters to strip generals of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Army, Navy, and Air Force of their ranks owing to their inability to end the war in record time.
Dr. Williams Charles Oluwaroyin noted that the Armed Forces of Nigeria possess all the credentials and training that have equipped them for the task before them, adding that what is needed is our support and political will to enable them to function optimally.
He lamented the recent growing waves of criticism that many generals lacked the professional capabilities to earn the rank of general and be promoted to that rank without winning a war.
He said some Nigerians’ perception that these Generals did not deserve their ranks because they had been unable to end the insurgency in record time was uncalled for, as the war at hand was not conventional but asymmetric, which requires all hands on deck.
According to him, becoming a General in the Nigerian Army is not the product of mere bureaucracy or favouritism. It is a journey defined by strict military codes, rigorous evaluation, field experience, professional courses, and merit-based promotions.
He added that no soldier is promoted to the rank of General without meeting an array of highly disciplined standards, enforced by the Nigerian Armed Forces. The rank is earned through decades of resilience, operational command, and integrity under pressure”
He said what Nigerians fail to acknowledge is that Nigeria’s Generals are battle-hardened veterans. He stressed that they have led missions at home and abroad, such as ECOMOG peace operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone, United Nations peacekeeping missions in Sudan, Congo, Mali, and Somalia, and various multinational efforts across the African continent.
He explained that these engagements were full-scale military operations requiring tactical brilliance, courage, and emotional endurance, which the soldiers had demonstrated, receiving applause from across the globe.
He, however, quipped that instead of receiving support for their sacrifices to make Nigeria safe for confronting this guerrilla warfare, they were. Some uninformed Nigerians rather enjoyed themselves in disparaging their ranks with all sorts of names.
He said this asymmetric warfare is different from the conventional war in which the enemies strike from the shadows using surprise attacks, improvised explosives and other deadly weapons, including suicide bombings.
“Guerrilla warfare is among the most difficult to combat, primarily when ideological extremism, porous borders, and transnational terrorism fuel it. Unlike traditional wars with defined frontlines, guerrilla warfare demands constant vigilance, adaptability, and an in-depth understanding of civilian dynamics, terrain, and intelligence.
“Nigeria’s geopolitical position compounds the challenge. Our borders stretch over thousands of kilometres, much of which remains under-patrolled due to logistical and structural limitations. These vulnerable entry points have been exploited by foreign fighters, arms smugglers, and terrorists, escalating the internal security crisis.
“It is in response to this that the Chief of Defence Staff recently proposed fencing and fortifying parts of Nigeria’s borders – a strategic step toward curbing external threats and enhancing national security”, he elucidated.
Oluwatoyin disclosed that despite these multifaceted threats, the Nigerian Armed Forces remain one of the continent’s most professional and capable military institutions, manned by battle-tested men and women who continue to serve under arduous conditions.
He added that these soldiers and their Generals continued to navigate political constraints, limited resources, and evolving threats in daily reality to carry the burden of national stability with dignity and resolve.
“Let it be stated: Nigeria’s Generals are not generals by accident or convenience. They are the product of sacrifice, international exposure, military excellence, and years of operational command. Instead of casting aspersions, we must recognise and support their role in safeguarding the sovereignty and unity of our nation. Nigeria’s Generals Are Not Made by Accident – They Earned Their Stars.
“It will not be fair to disparage these Generals in a fiat. The Nigerian military – Army, Navy, and Air Force – is among the best trained in the world. Our officers undergo elite drills, command courses, and international combat simulations. They have not just studied war; they have lived it, from the harsh deserts of the Sahel to the dense jungles of the Congo. To reduce their careers to a mere question of whether they have “fought a war” is to misunderstand the nature of modern warfare and to insult a generation of men and women who risk their lives for our peace.
“We must begin to appreciate their sacrifices and not make a caricature of their service. The task before the Nigerian Armed Forces is enormous – from counter-insurgency in the North East to anti-kidnapping operations in the North West, to peacekeeping and civil-military interventions in various parts of the country. Yet they continue to serve with uncommon dedication.
“Nigeria is safer because of them. They are not perfect – no institution is – but they are not frauds or accidental soldiers. They are professionals, tested in fire, and worthy of our respect.
Let us hold them accountable, yes, but honour them. They are the wall between chaos and order.
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