Insecurity: Nigerian Senate demands service Chiefs step aside
By Reporter
July 21, 2020- The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday passed a resolution for the present set of service chiefs to step aside, paving way for newer ideas to come in the fight against insecurity.
The resolution followed a Point of Order raised by Sen. Ali Ndume (APC-Borno) during plenary on “The Rising Casualties among the Nigerian Army and other Security Agencies”.
Other resolutions by the upper chamber was for the Federal Government to urgently provide modern equipment to enhance the operational capabilities of the armed forces.
The Senate also mandated its committees on Defence, Army, Air force, Navy, Interior, National Security and Nigeria Police to receive briefings on the state of affairs of the services.
Rising under orders 42 and 52, Ndume raised concerns over the various reports on the number of casualties among the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.
“Just recently 24 soldiers were ambushed and killed along Damboa-Maiduguri road in Borno; 19 were wounded and nine were declared missing in action.
‘The senate is disturbed that in Katsina again about 20 soldiers were also ambushed and killed why several others were wounded. The number of civilian casualty is not known.
“The senate appreciates the sacrifices of our armed forces in the fight against insurgency, banditry and protection of the territorial integrity of Nigeria and several other security assignments given to them.”
The lawmaker further said that if the trend continued it would have serious implications on the fight against insurgency, banditry and other forms of criminality in the country.
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan commended the armed forces for the job well done so far.
Lawan however noted that just like the President said, the good is still not enough but we need to continue to encourage them, we need to continue to provide for them.
“They lay their lives on behalf of all of us and of course, it is very sad that some of them are deserting; are alleged to have deserted the war front. We need to get to the bottom of this,” he said.
Responding to the resolution of the Senate and noting it,the Presidency assured that President Muhammadu Buhari will do what is in the best interest of the country at all times.
Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity in a stetment stated that “the Presidency notes the resolution, and reiterates that appointment or sack of Service Chiefs is a Presidential prerogative.
“And President Muhammadu Buhari, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, will do what is in the best interest of the country at all times."