Former President Goodluck Jonathan recently described the Boko Haram insurgency as one of Nigeria's most complex and enduring security challenges, asserting that military action alone is insufficient to end the crisis. Speaking on Thursday, October 2, 2025, in Abuja at the public presentation of “Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum” by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd), Jonathan argued that Boko Haram left deeper scars than previous crises like the Niger Delta militancy or ethno-religious violence. He attributed this to its external connections, extremist ideology, and advanced weaponry, noting that at one point, the insurgents possessed more ammunition than Nigerian soldiers, indicative of external involvement. He highlighted the 2014 abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls as one of the most painful scars of his administration, deeming it an indelible mark on the nation’s collective memory.

Jonathan drew a parallel to his personal engagement with Niger Delta militants during his vice presidency, where dialogue complemented military action to restore peace. He explained that his direct visits to their camps without armed escorts were driven by the conviction that engagement, listening, and creating opportunities for communities were crucial. However, he emphasized that Boko Haram presented a different, more intricate challenge, necessitating a holistic strategy. This approach, he suggested, must combine security operations with good governance, poverty reduction, youth empowerment, and social justice. He stressed that the insurgency is rooted in poverty, exclusion, and broken dreams, not merely a law-and-order problem, and therefore requires a comprehensive solution that tackles these underlying issues in vulnerable communities.

At the same event, Jonathan also claimed that Boko Haram had once nominated Muhammadu Buhari as their negotiator with the Federal Government, following his administration's efforts to explore dialogue. This particular assertion, however, drew a swift and strong rebuttal from Garba Shehu, media aide to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari. Shehu accused Jonathan of attempting to