Nigeria’s top military and political leaders on Thursday underscored the importance of documentation, collective national effort, and sustained military professionalism in the fight against terrorism during the unveiling of a new book titled “Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency Operations in North East Nigeria (Volumes 1 & 2)” authored by retired Major-General Ibrahim Yusuf.
Representing Vice President Kashim Shettima, Special Adviser on General Duties, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo, described the publication as a timely and strategic contribution to Nigeria’s national security discourse.
According to the Vice President, Nigeria’s experience with terrorism and insurgency in the North-East reflects not a nation defeated by insecurity, but the resilience and courage of citizens and security forces defending the country’s shared destiny.
He noted that the conflict in the North-East remains a deeply human tragedy affecting communities with rich historical and cultural heritage, stressing that terrorism requires sustained vigilance, intelligence, diplomacy, technology, and strong civil-military cooperation.
The Vice President commended the author for documenting operational experiences and strategic lessons from the theatre of operations, noting that such insights are essential for policymakers, scholars, and future military leaders.
He further reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to strengthening the operational readiness, welfare, and dignity of members of the Armed Forces.
In his goodwill message, the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, praised the author as a respected mentor whose professional conduct and leadership continued to inspire younger officers even after retirement.
“The lion may be retired, but he is certainly not tired,” the minister remarked.
He said the fight against insurgency in the North-East remains one of Nigeria’s most complex security challenges, describing it as an asymmetric conflict that cannot be won by the military alone.
According to him, victory against terrorism depends on collective national responsibility involving the Armed Forces, civil authorities, and citizens working together to deny insurgents support and legitimacy.
Musa also encouraged serving officers to study the publication carefully, noting that it contains valuable operational lessons drawn from real battlefield experiences.
Similarly, the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, described the two-volume publication as a major intellectual contribution bridging theory and practice in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations.
He praised the author for preserving decades of operational knowledge gained from commanding the 21 Brigade, 7 Division, and the Multinational Joint Task Force.
Oluyede said the realities of modern security threats demand continuous learning, adaptation, and documentation of operational experiences, adding that the publication would serve as a valuable resource for military practitioners, researchers, and policymakers.
Former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, also commended the author for documenting operational experiences from the counter-insurgency campaign in the North-East.
Buratai stressed that operational success in counter-insurgency warfare depends heavily on the quality of commanders in the field and the ability of leaders to adapt to complex realities.
He recalled the importance of operations such as Deep Punch I and Deep Punch II, as well as the critical role played by the Nigerian Air Force in degrading terrorist capabilities between 2015 and 2017.
According to him, resilience in leadership and the support of local communities remain essential elements in defeating insurgency.
Earlier in his remarks, the author, retired Major-General Ibrahim Yusuf, described the publication as the fulfilment of an eight-year intellectual ambition aimed at contributing to military scholarship and national security discourse.
He said the book was inspired by a desire to provide younger military officers and policymakers with first-hand insights into the successes and challenges of counterterrorism operations in Nigeria.
Yusuf explained that the publication draws from over a decade of operational experience in the North-East and the Lake Chad Basin while deliberately avoiding sensitive information capable of compromising ongoing operations.
He also urged retired military officers to document their operational experiences for future generations, noting that such efforts are essential for institutional memory and national development.
Reviewing the publication, renowned scholar Eghosa Osaghae described the work as a landmark contribution to military scholarship.
Osaghae noted that the two volumes combine academic depth with practical operational experience, offering insights into intelligence-led operations, joint force coordination, psychological warfare, and post-conflict management.
He added that the work effectively situates Nigeria’s counter-insurgency experience within the broader context of modern asymmetric warfare and evolving global security threats.
The event attracted senior serving and retired military officers, heads of security agencies, members of the diplomatic corps, academics, and policymakers from across the country.
