Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has revealed how the Obasanjo administration quickly suppressed Boko Haram insurgency when it first emerged in 2002, attributing their success to strong political will and decisive leadership.

Speaking at a meeting with stakeholders from Kogi East Senatorial District in Abuja on Wednesday, Atiku recounted the government's swift response to the earliest manifestation of the terrorist group in Yobe State during their tenure.

"You remember when the Boko Haram started in Yobe? It was actually in 2002. We were in office. The president sent for me. 'VP, what do we do about this?' Then I said, 'Mr President, let's call the Service Chiefs and give them a deadline. If they can't put it down, then they should put down their uniform and go away. We will get some other people'," Atiku explained.

According to the former Vice President, President Obasanjo subsequently summoned the Service Chiefs and issued firm directives, resulting in the insurgency being quelled within weeks. Atiku emphasized that the problem did not resurface until after their administration left office in 2007.

Atiku, who served as Vice President from 1999 to 2007, placed blame for the current security challenges on subsequent administrations, citing a lack of political will to address the issues decisively.

"I hold our leadership responsible for all the insecurity that is going on all over the place," he stated. "When they're killing your citizens, how can you even eat? They're killing your citizens and you don't give a damn; that is the greatest irresponsibility by any political leader, anywhere."

The meeting was led by former Kogi Deputy Governor Simon Achuba, with Atiku sharing the account in a video posted on his Facebook page.

Boko Haram has since grown into one of Nigeria's most significant security challenges, with the insurgency claiming thousands of lives and displacing millions across the northeastern region of the country over the past decade.