I am your friend, Dr. Charles Apoki, and I am not happy. I am deeply disturbed by the way human life in Nigeria has been reduced to less than that of a cow.
Recently, I was driving with my lawyer when we encountered some soldiers conducting a stop-and-check. When my lawyer stopped the car, I stepped out to open the trunk myself. A young soldier—my children’s age mate—told me the driver could have done it, but I insisted. I respect our uniformed men. I respect our police and soldiers because they put their lives on the line for our security and the protection of our nation’s territorial integrity.
This is why it pains me deeply to see non-state actors attacking, traumatizing, and killing our soldiers. The armed forces of any nation are a source of national pride. In the United States, you hear the President say, “God bless our armed forces,” and their veterans receive respect. But here in Nigeria, our soldiers are being humiliated and executed by terrorists, and we are doing nothing about it.
A video circulating online showed ISWAP militants, an offshoot of ISIS, making three Nigerian soldiers kneel, mocking them, and then executing them. These were young men—somebody’s children, classmates, husbands, and fathers. That video was not just an attack on those soldiers; it was an insult to our entire nation. It was a slap in the face of the Nigerian Army and the President himself.
How did we get here? The infiltration of our military started in the Buhari era when so-called “repentant” Boko Haram members were integrated into our armed forces. That was a grave mistake! There is no such thing as a “repentant” religious terrorist. That was either incompetence or outright treason. Now, we see our military being ambushed and slaughtered while the terrorists mock us by posting the executions online.
Our military once commanded respect across Africa. In Sierra Leone and Liberia, the Nigerian Army was celebrated for restoring peace. But now, ragtag terrorists are humiliating our soldiers in our own country. This cannot continue.
Mr. President, declare a state of emergency in Yobe State! No need to remove the governor or legislators—just focus on the local government areas that these terrorists have taken over. Evacuate our civilians from those areas and flood them with our armed forces. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) ordered civilians to leave northern Gaza before launching their offensive. Nigeria must do the same. We must crush these terrorists with full military force. If we systematically deploy the military across the affected northern states, we can clear them out in 18 months.
Instead of spending billions on luxury yachts and frivolous expenditures, invest in equipping the military. Give them modern weapons, proper training, quality healthcare, and adequate food. If they are injured, fly them out for treatment. Let them feel valued and motivated.
I must also address our soldiers directly: your strength should not be displayed against defenseless civilians or electricity distribution offices. The real battle is in the forests where terrorists are wreaking havoc. And to those protesting poor conditions in the military—do not punish them! They spoke out because they care about the institution. Release them and dismiss them honorably if necessary, but do not treat them as criminals.
The Nigerian military must mobilize thousands of troops to each affected state. We must take the fight to them, from Yobe to Borno, to Zamfara and beyond. If terrorists in the Lake Chad region challenge us, let the Navy crush them. We must move state by state until we reclaim our country.
The humiliation of our soldiers cannot be tolerated. When an Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, was kidnapped, Israel launched a massive military operation, killing thousands just to bring one soldier home. That is the value of a soldier’s life in a serious nation. Nigeria must do the same. Our soldiers and policemen deserve respect, and in return, they must also respect civilians.
Mr. President, declare a state of emergency now! Let us reclaim our dignity as a nation.
To those who threaten me and my workers: I have lived a full life. I have seen and enjoyed this country. If you want to harm me, tell me the time and place—I will wait for you. But you cannot silence me. We cannot stay silent while our soldiers are being killed and our mothers are being raped by terrorists.
I remain Dr. Charles Apoki.
God bless Nigeria. We will not let this nation sink.
