EMMANUEL PETER ADAYEHI
I was born and raised here. I had my early elementary education and secondary education before proceeding to the prestigious northern premier second generation university, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. When you know so much truth but choose to keep quiet or lie, one day, your tongue will spill out the truth as it can no longer suppress and contain the pains of its twists.
Our Elder Statesmen and Senior Citizens
1. Gen. Yakubu Gowon
Former Military Head of State, 1966 to 1975. Led Nigeria through the Civil War and championed post war reconciliation with the policy of “No victor, no vanquished”.
2. Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo
Former Military Head of State, 1976 to 1979, and Former President, 1999 to 2007. Oversaw the transition to the Second Republic and later returned as a civilian president.
3. Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
Former Military President, 1985 to 1993. Instituted economic reforms and created two new states. His regime conducted the annulled June 12, 1993 election.
4. Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar
Former Military Head of State, 1998 to 1999. Transitioned Nigeria to the Fourth Republic within 11 months and handed over to an elected government.
5. Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe
Former Chief of General Staff and de facto Vice President of Nigeria under General Ibrahim Babangida from 1985 to 1986.
6. Lt. Gen. Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma
Served as Nigeria’s Minister of Defence under President Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2003. He retired as a Lieutenant General in the Nigerian Army. He was Chief of Army Staff from 1975 to 1979.
7. Chief Emeka Anyaoku
A Nigerian diplomat who served as the 3rd Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations from 1990 to 2000. He was also a prominent figure in Nigerian politics and has held various leadership roles, including Chairman of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and Chancellor of the University of Calabar. Anyaoku was the first African to hold the position of Commonwealth Secretary-General.
8. Maj. Gen. Ike Nwachukwu
A Nigerian politician and diplomat who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs twice, 1987 to 1989 and 1990 to 1991, under military ruler Ibrahim Babangida. He also held other key roles, including Military Governor of Imo State, 1984 to 1985, and Ambassador.
9. Prof. Ango Abdullahi
A Nigerian academic and politician. He served as Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, 1979 to 1986, and was Special Adviser on Food Security to President Olusegun Obasanjo. He is a former spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum. Note: He did not serve as OPEC Secretary General. That position was held by Dr. Rilwanu Lukman, 1995 to 2000.
10. Prof. Ibrahim Gambari
A Nigerian diplomat and academic who served as Nigeria’s Minister of External Affairs from 1984 to 1985 under General Muhammadu Buhari. He served as Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, 2020 to 2023, and as UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, 2005 to 2007. Note: He was not Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2003 to 2007. That role was held by Olu Adeniji, 2003 to 2006, and Joy Ogwu, 2006 to 2007.
11. Navy Capt. Alfred Diete-Spiff
A Nigerian military officer who served as the first Military Governor of Rivers State from 1967 to 1975. He was later a civilian member of the Rivers State government. Note: He was not Governor from 1979 to 1983. That was Chief Melford Okilo under the NPN.
12. Maj. Gen. Zamani Lekwot
A retired Nigerian Army Major General and politician. He served as Military Governor of Rivers State, 1975 to 1978, and later Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy. He was also involved in efforts to manage conflicts in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.
To mention just a few. As it is my sincere hope they’re all alive to see how Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been plagued by insecurity, corruption, persistent killing, kidnapping, and terrorist attacks even getting worse.
The Current Crisis: Data and Context
Killing of Soldiers, Officers and Men of the Nigerian Army in the war against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping is worrisome. They cast a dark shadow on the country at large.
The Nigerian military has excelled in wars outside our shores. From ECOMOG involvement in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Darfur, Sudan, among others. It is therefore pertinent that the Nigerian military can not contain and wipe out terrorists occupying a portion of land in our territory. And as the role of the military implies to protect our core national value: Land, Airspace by Nigerian Airforce and waterways by the Nigerian Navy from internal and external aggressors. Protect the nation’s local and international waterways from sea pirates, our borders from illegal immigrants and migrants. Far more, protect and promote democratic ethos under a civil leadership, create a regional cohesion amongst the federacy.
The fact is that terrorists in Nigeria due to the situation in Nigeria are indeed making mockery of the Nigerian Military. They dare the military with terrorist attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP, along with bandits and kidnappers, posing significant threats to national security. These groups have been responsible for numerous attacks, including bombings, kidnappings, and massacres, resulting in thousands of deaths and displacements creating artificial internally displaced refugees.
Recent Incidents: 2024 to 2026
Based on data from ACLED and Nigerian security reports:
– Military casualties: Over 1,200 soldiers have been killed in combat operations between January 2023 and March 2026.
– Monguno attack: In December 2025, ISWAP fighters attacked a forward operating base in Monguno, Borno State. A battalion commander and 14 soldiers were killed.
– Civilian casualties from airstrikes: At least 3 separate incidents of mistaken airstrikes on civilian settlements were recorded in 2024 and 2025 in Kaduna, Niger, and Zamfara States, prompting investigations by the National Human Rights Commission.
– Kidnapping: SBM Intelligence reports over 3,600 people were abducted across Nigeria in 2025, with the Northwest and North Central zones most affected.
The Nigerian military has been engaged in counter-insurgency efforts, with some successes, such as recapturing territories and killing key insurgent leaders. However, the groups’ ability to adapt and evolve, coupled with allegations of military inefficiencies and corruption, has hindered progress.
The mockery of our military, the adoption of top echelons in the Nigerian Military and slaughtering them in a derogatory, ridiculous yet very painful manners hurts most deeply.
The spread of insecurity across the country as a fallout of the onslaughts by the terrorists has raised a huge concern.
International Response
Recent closure of the Abuja Embassy of the United States of America speaks volume of the situation. On March 8, 2026, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja temporarily suspended routine consular services, citing “heightened security threats”. The U.S. State Department currently lists 23 states in Nigeria under Level 3: Reconsider Travel, due to crime, terrorism, and kidnapping.
And for how long will our elder statesmen and senior citizens be silent? This silence isn’t golden. As a matter of fact, it hurts even more than the pains inflicted on Nigerians by the state of insecurity.
A land without elders is scary but a land where elders don’t speak up or when they speak their tongues are tucked in their cheeks or in between their teeth is not worthy to live in. Why won’t the elders speak? What are men in their 80s and 90s afraid of?
Shouldn’t they proffer solutions to these problems? Or are they the problems themselves? With all their reservoirs of knowledge, wealth of experiences and influence in power, why is silence a solution to this menace?
Who should be asking: What do the terrorists want from Nigeria? How did they enter Nigeria? For what purpose? Why Nigeria? Who are their sponsors? What’s their overall interest here? What has Nigerians done to deserve death?
Our dear elder statesmen and senior citizens, over to you, Sirs.