Nigeria’s former Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Ibrahim (rtd.), has warned that powerful forces are still working to destabilize the country and push it toward disintegration.
The former Defence Chief said insecurity in Nigeria is no accident.
According to him, the nation’s resources, weak borders, and deep internal divisions have made it a target for both external and internal threats.
Admiral Ola Ibrahim raised the alarm while speaking at the reunion of the 42nd Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy in Abuja.
He said Nigeria’s size and economic potential continue to attract people who want to benefit from the country without contributing to its growth.
The Ex-CDS explained that many Nigerians may not feel the nation is prosperous, but outsiders see it as a land of opportunity to exploit.
He added that while citizens struggle daily, foreigners believe they can enter the country and take advantage of its wealth.
The Former Defence Chief also accused some groups of working deliberately to erase Nigeria’s identity as a united nation.
Admiral Ibrahim recalled earlier predictions that Nigeria would collapse as a nation. He said those behind such ideas have not given up.
He described today’s security crisis as a form of turbulence that requires collective effort and unity within the armed forces and the country at large.
Addressing members of the 42nd Regular Course, he said they were trained for difficult times and had already served in sensitive command positions across Nigeria.
The Ex-CDS warned that national security cannot be handled by individuals acting alone and called for stronger cooperation among military leaders.
Admiral Ibrahim also reflected on his time as Chief of Defence Staff between 2012 and 2014.
He said one of his key achievements was restructuring military operations in troubled regions.
He explained that the scale of insecurity at the time required permanent military divisions rather than temporary task forces.
In his remarks, President of the 42nd Regular Course, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, said the reunion was a time for reflection and renewed commitment to service.
He said the officers were bonded by sacrifice, discipline, and shared values formed during their training at the NDA.
Major General Oyinlola urged members to maintain unity despite their different postings and ranks. He also called on them to continue supporting one another professionally and personally.
