Ex-Army Chief Buratai Proposes COVID-19 Style Nationwide Lockdown To Flush Out Terrorists, Bandits, Kidnappers

A retired military general in camouflage uniform, sitting in a chair, speaking to the camera, with a military emblem and flag in the background.

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

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Nigeria’s former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (Retd.), has proposed a nationwide lockdown—similar to the one enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic—as a drastic measure to tackle the country’s worsening security crisis.

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Buratai made the call on Friday while speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme, stressing that such a lockdown would allow Nigerians to unite in confronting terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping head-on.

Buratai’s Call for National Mobilisation

According to the retired Army chief, Nigeria’s security challenges require total mobilisation of the people, not just the military. He argued that a COVID-19 style lockdown would force nationwide focus on flushing out criminal elements who have continued to destabilise communities across the country.

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“We can lock down this country to make sure everybody concentrates and deals with this cankerworm called terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and so on. It is very fundamental, very important,” Buratai declared.

He recalled how the government and citizens mobilised significant resources during the pandemic—investing in information, communication, palliatives, and preventive measures—to ensure that the entire nation was fully involved.

Linking Security to National Unity

Buratai also drew attention to the example of the Maiduguri flood disaster, where Nigerians rallied in support of Borno State, providing relief materials and rehabilitation assistance. He said a similar united effort is needed to combat insecurity in the North-East and North-West, highlighting the importance of psychological mobilisation through social media, press campaigns, and community support initiatives.

“When there is a national crisis, we need to mobilise everybody, not just the military alone,” he stressed.

The former Army chief further reminded Nigerians of his earlier warnings that the insurgency could last longer than anticipated, insisting that only a long-term national plan can yield sustainable results.

Growing Concerns Over Nigeria’s Security

Buratai’s proposal comes at a time when terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping remain pressing concerns for millions of Nigerians. Communities in several states continue to face deadly attacks, mass abductions, and displacement, fuelling calls for decisive and unconventional strategies to restore security.

While his suggestion of a nationwide lockdown may stir debate, Buratai insists that the stakes are too high for Nigeria to treat insecurity with half measures. For him, a nationwide shutdown and mass mobilisation may be the bold step required to end the scourge.

What Next for Nigeria?

Buratai’s radical proposal has sparked conversations about the balance between national security, economic stability, and civil liberties. Whether the Nigerian government would consider such a lockdown remains uncertain, but the former Army chief’s warning is clear—Nigeria’s insecurity crisis requires extraordinary measures and collective action.

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