The Head of Research at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre Dr Kwesi Aning says Nigeria's terrorist group Boko Haram "will never be defeated militarily."

He said the military option never worked for the US in Afghanistan against Taliban, Iraq and would never work against Boko Haram in Nigeria.

"Let's not fool ourselves. We got to be bold enough to say when will this crisis mature and when do we identify entry points for possible engagement," he stated.

His comments follow worsening terrorist situation in Nigeria with Boko Haram being the principal actors.

Even though the terrorist group has been deadly with its activities, last month's capture of over 230 school girls gained international attention with individuals and countries getting involved in a desperate attempt to rescue the captured girls.

Former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan in an interview on CNN said it was time for Nigeria to consider a possible military option to curtail the wave of attacks from militant group Boko Haram.

He also urged Africa's most populous nation to begin to team up with other countries and share crucial information that would expose the activities of Boko Haram.

But speaking to Joy News, Dr Kwesi Aning said the military option will not be successful.

Rather, he said the Nigerian government must stop the rhetoric and begin a comprehensive engagements with the terrorist group as US has done with the Taliban in Afghanistan.

"We need multiple alternatives but the fundamental question here is when is it right to implement a particular type of strategy? We will never defeat them militarily. Let's not kid ourselves.

"The US was whipped in Afghanistan and its talking to the Taliban. It was not particularly successful in Iraq and we shouldn't deceive ourselves," he stated.

He said Nigeria must also begin to find the structural reasons for the rise of Boko Haram and be concerned about the increasing spread of its activities.