In a stern and urgent call to action, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, has warned that the escalating security crisis in the Sahel region poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s stability and must be addressed immediately.
Speaking during a visit to Governor Mai Mala Buni in Damaturu, Yobe State, the Army Chief expressed deep concern over what he described as “the Sahel being on fire,” emphasizing the urgent need for Nigeria to brace up and act fast to prevent the flames of insurgency from spreading further south.
“You look at what is happening in the Sahel—the region is on fire,” Oluyede said in a video shared by Eset TV. “If we allow that fire to come down this way, then we’ll be in trouble. So it’s best as a country for us to brace up for what is coming and nip it in the bud as fast as possible.”
Oluyede, who once served as a commander in Yobe, noted the importance of national unity and community cooperation in combating terrorism and insurgency. He called on all Nigerians—not just the people of Yobe or the security forces—to play an active role in securing the country.
“If we don’t come together to checkmate this insecurity, at some point, we will not have a country to live in,” he added.
You can watch the video from 01:25.
The Army Chief’s visit follows recent attacks in parts of Yobe, including the Buni Yadi axis, with fresh sightings of insurgent movements reported just kilometers away from affected communities. Oluyede’s reassurance to the people came alongside renewed military deployments and intelligence operations aimed at curbing the threat.
