Comrade Lekan Badmus is a columnist @Oduduwa News.
The strength of a nation lies in the military. Everywhere in the world, it is the constitutional duty of the military to protect the nation from external attacks. Protection of the territorial integrity of a nation is so much important to sustain sovereignty. Thus, a nation that lacks such defense mechanism is vulnerable to colonisation. Such a nation could be annexed by other more powerful nations.
Defense is crucial to independence. That perhaps informs the colossal amount of money being pumped into the military in term of fiscal budget. The budget is statutorily required to procure ammunitions and other necessary logistics.
The president of every nation is the Chief Security Officer. Nigeria is not an exemption. At every swearing in ceremony of a new president or Head of State, it is mandatory for the president to swear to an oath. The letter of the oath is simple, concise and unambiguous. ” I pledge to defend the sovereignty of the nation “. By this, the president is liable to any eventuality. Thus, the right and privilege to appoint security officers who are to ensure the safety of lives and properties is enthrusted in the president.
The security heads in Nigeria are called Service Chiefs. These are the professionals who have been trained to combat both internal and external oppressions. The service chiefs have the right to ward off encroachment into Nigeria’s territory using maximum force. They are trained to defend and the best way to defend is to kill.
Nigeria constitution establishes various military formations for efficiency. Each formation is headed by a chief. Thus: Chief of defense staff, Chief of Army staff, Chief of Naval staff, Chief of Air staff. The chief of defense staff is the leader. Others control their corresponding nomenclatures but they work together to complement one another. There exists a synergy. The chief of staff coordinates all. Aside these service chiefs, there are other security paraphernalia such as the Nigeria police, immigration, Custom, civil defense and a host of others. They all work to complement the work of the military.
Nigeria military was known to be one of the best in the world. Emphasis should be concentrated on the word-WAS. It is not accidental that I used the word. It is rather intentional and the essence would soon dawn on you as you progress reading this article.
Under the auspices of UN or AU or ECOWAS, Nigeria military has gone out of the shore of the nation to maintain peace. This was more pronounced during the civil war in Liberia. The exploits of our military have been commendable.
Ironically, Nigeria military has been reduced to Boys’ Scout of Nigeria by the Terrorists. Nigeria military leaders have become nothing but “baby generals” who lack mental capacity and technical know-how to stop internal attacks which has been on for more than a decade.
At the outset, the excuse was lack of superior arms and ammunitions to confront the insurgents. At the breaking of the dearth of ammunition news, the entire citizenry bemoaned the government for their failure in the provision of the required logistics. The lamentations drew public sympathy for the military and a widespread condemnation for the government who later did the needful. No more excuse!
However, with the unabated attacks, Nigerians have begun to doubt the competence of the military. No one is save again. No one could sleep with the two eyes closed.
Recently, report flew like kite that the insurgents had attacked the Nigeria Defense Academy in Kaduna. NDA is an institution where military are trained.
This is a monumental embarassment in view of the many military formations located at Kaduna: NDA, JAJI, AIR FORCE base etc. Nigeria Defence Academy arguably should be more secured than Aso Rock. If NDA could be bursted, certainly, Aso Rock is not safe. Let alone my house and yours!
Truth be told, most of our barracks in South-West are porous. There are serious thorough fare and unhindered access. For instance, Adekunle Fajuyi Barracks at Odogbo in Ibadan is strategically located. However, development has gotten to the location and this has led to a situation where motorists ply the heart of the barracks to link Ojoo. The thorough fare is not gotten on a platter of gold. Motorists pay and purchase permit from the barracks which is about one thousand five hundred naira.
Aside this, the perimeter fence of the Barracks around Railway has been converted to shops for commercial purposes. Terrorists can as well rent these shops for surveillance. Right inside the barracks, there is an end which has been converted to garage. Where is the safety if a Terrorist planted bomb in any of the cabs ? All these are security threats.
A panacea to this alternative route for motorists is for the government to rehabilitate the road besides the barracks. The road links Ojoo.
Other solutions lie in intelligence and political will. These two are conspicuously lacking. The military is not intelligent and the government does not have the WILL to arrest the menace. There is a: suspicion of inflitration of the army by the terrorists.The dare-devil terrorists seem to have moles withing the army. War and Civil unrest could be tamed through information. Armed robbers and Terrorists also thrive on information. In view of this, it is certain that some people are divulging confidential information to the Terrorists.
Federal Government has claimed on several occasions that they have identified the sponsors of Boko Haram. If this is to be believed, does the FG needs any permission before any arrest is made on the suspects! Sometimes ago, the FG claimed that the military had killed Boko Haram leader in a gun duel. DisgustingIy, our elation was punctuated when he Shekau came out from the blues and boisterously released an official statement debunking the government claim. What an open lie ! Will it not be immodest to say that our leaders have been economical with the truth !
In my opinion, if FG could show serious zeal to Sunday Igboho and Nnamdi Kanu cases, what stops it from dissipating a corresponding energy in the same sum to these incessant attacks in the names of banditry and Terrorism!
From these notorious attacks and the lukewarm attitudes of the FG, it is either government does not want a ceasation so as to continuously attract international financial donations to develop a region.
Federal government owes us an explanation. The current government rode to power through sympathy vote. We were cajoled into believing that the man; who was once a soldier, knew how best to deal with the situation. Mr President did promise brim and stone; swearing at every electioneering podium that his priority was to nip the menace in the bud. This is the sixth year in power and the situation worsens every day.
In a sane clan, the unwilling leader would have voluntarily vacated the seat. Candidly speaking, the president does not need to stay glued to the seat if he is bereaved of ideas. In the developed nations, such a leader lacks the moral right to remain in power. To his people, he has betrayed the oath. If the government is sincere; having realized that the military cannot curtail the devils, FG should seek foreign intervention.
We need to learn from Afghanistan case.
Comrade Lekan Badmus is a freelance writer.
E mail:
lekanbadmuscolumn@gmail.com
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08060002439
