… to
investigate desertion of Army by soldiers
The Senate has called on the Service Chiefs to step
aside over the deteriorating security situation in the country.
This formed part of resolutions of the Senate sequel to
the consideration of motion drawing attention to the rising number of
casualties among the Nigerian Army and other Security Agencies.
The demand for the resignation of the Service Chiefs
was put forward in a proposed amendment to the resolutions of the Senate moved
by Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi (PDP – Osun East); and seconded by Betty
Apiafi (PDP – Rivers West).
The upper chamber also urged President Muhammadu
Buhari, to as a matter of urgency, provide modern equipments to enhance the
operational capabilities of the armed forces.
Sponsor of the original motion, Senator Ali Ndume (APC
– Borno South), while coming under Order 42 and 52 of the Senate Standing
Rules, noted with concern the various reports of casualties among the Nigerian
Army and other security agencies.
According to the lawmaker, twenty-four soldiers were
recently ambushed and killed along damboa-Maiduguri in Borno State, with
nineteen wounded and nine declared missing in action.
“The Senate is disturbed that in Katsina again about 20
soldiers were also ambushed and killed while several others were wounded.
“The Senate appreciates the sacrifices of our armed
forces in the fight against insurgency, banditry and protection of the
territorial integrity of Nigeria.
“The Senate is concerned that if the trend continues,
it will have serious implication on the fight against insurgency and banditry
in the country,” Ndume added.
The Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (APC –
Kebbi North), in his contribution, called on Security Agencies to change their
tact and strategy of deployment in the fight against insecurity in the
country.
Accordingly, the Upper Chamber after holding a minute
silence for the fallen soldiers, mandated the joint Committees on Army;
Airforce; Navy; National Security and Nigeria Police to receive briefing on the
state of affairs of the services in this regard.
President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, in his
concluding remarks while condoling the families of slain soldiers, charged the
Senate Joint Committees to investigate alleged desertion of the army by
soldiers at the war front.
He said, “the spirit of this motion is that our armed
forces are trying very hard, but just like the President said, their good is
not good enough.
“We need to continue to encourage and provide for them.
They lay their lives on behalf of us, and of course, it is very sad that some
of them are alleged to have deserted the war front.
“We need to get to the bottom of this. Our joint
committee should be able to find out the facts about this allegation of over
200 deserting the war front.”
No comments:
Post a Comment