ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria’s former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, has released a book that documents the nation’s long and bloody fight against Boko Haram, giving the public an inside view of one of Africa’s most dangerous insurgencies.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The book, unveiled Thursday in Abuja, is titled An Inward Look: The War Against Boko Haram. Irabor, who led Nigeria’s armed forces from 2021 to 2023, said the work is both a personal account and a professional record of lessons learned during years of battling extremist groups in the country’s northeast.

“This book is not only my story. It is the story of our nation’s resilience,” Irabor told attendees at the launch, which included top military officers, lawmakers, and civil society leaders. “I wanted to put down the facts for future generations, so they understand what we faced and how we responded.”

Boko Haram Conflict

Boko Haram launched its insurgency in 2009, aiming to establish strict Islamic rule in Nigeria. The group has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced more than 2 million, according to the United Nations. At its peak, the militants controlled large territories across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.

Nigeria, with support from neighboring countries, has fought back for more than a decade. The conflict has destroyed villages, cut off communities from aid, and created one of the world’s largest internal displacement crises. The violence also spread to Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, raising concerns about regional stability.

Irabor played a key role in military operations that weakened Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). His new book describes the challenges of leading troops in difficult terrain, the pressure of decision-making under fire, and the human cost of war.

A Record for History

The former defense chief said he hopes the book will help Nigerians appreciate the sacrifices of soldiers and civilians caught in the conflict. “Too often, the narrative has been told from the outside,” he said. “This is a view from the inside, from those who lived it.”

Analysts say the publication is one of the few detailed accounts from a top commander in Nigeria’s fight against insurgency. “This book could become an important historical record,” said Kabiru Adamu, a security expert in Abuja. “It allows us to understand what worked, what failed, and what needs to change.”

The book also examines the role of intelligence sharing, regional cooperation, and civil-military relations in fighting terrorism. Irabor emphasized that military power alone could not end the conflict. He called for stronger governance, education, and economic development in the northeast to stop future radicalization.

Mixed Progress

Although Boko Haram has been weakened, attacks continue in some rural areas. Humanitarian groups say displaced people are struggling to return home due to insecurity and lack of basic services. The military has reported recent successes, including the surrender of thousands of fighters, but the insurgency is not fully over.

Irabor acknowledged this reality in his book. He wrote that defeating terrorism requires patience and persistence. “Victory is not just about killing insurgents,” he said. “It is about restoring trust, rebuilding lives, and preventing the seeds of violence from growing again.”

A Personal Reflection

At the launch, Irabor spoke of the emotional weight of his years in service. He recalled visiting frontline hospitals and attending the burials of fallen soldiers. “Those memories stay with me,” he said. “This book is my way of honoring them.”

He also urged younger officers to study the lessons of the conflict as they plan future operations. “Nigeria will face security challenges again,” he said. “We must be ready, and we must learn from our past.”

Next Steps

The book will be made available in stores and online in the coming weeks. Irabor said proceeds will support programs for wounded veterans and families of soldiers killed in action.

The launch was met with praise from both military and civilian leaders, who said it was rare for a top commander to share such candid reflections. For many Nigerians, the book represents not just a record of war, but also a call to remember the human struggle behind the headlines.