Military overwhelmed by security challenges – NGF

The Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, said Tuesday that the military has been completely overwhelmed by the security challenges currently facing the country.

The governors also expressed frustration at the manner the 43 rice farmers were killed by the Boko Haram insurgents who beheaded them and kept their severed heads behind their backs.

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The NGF’s declaration came as the Jama’atu Nasril  Islam, JNI, under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, warned yesterday that the nation will continue to witness a rise in arms proliferation for self-defence if the Federal Government fails to mop up small and light arms and weapons in circulation. Also, the Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis, yesterday condemned the killing of the farmers and called on God to intervene in Nigeria’s security challenges.

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Also, angry northern youths, under the umbrella of Youths Progressive Alliance (northern zone) yesterday blast Presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, over remarks credited to him that the slain farmers did not obtain clearance from the military before going to their farms.

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Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, said yesterday that President Muhammadu Buhari has agreed to appear before House, following members summon on him on Tuesday to appear.

Speaking while he led a delegation of Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, on a condolence visit to Borno State governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, over the killing of 43 rice farmers by Boko Haram, chairman of the NGF and governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, said the military was overwhelmed in the handling of Nigeria’s security challenges.

Fayemi, who noted that efforts to tackle insecurity must involve local communities, described the manner the farmers were killed as “by far beyond any imagination.”

He said: “It was a massacre and it was one that none of us could come to terms with easily.

“As a security scholar, the reality I can see is that our military is overwhelmed. Our military is no longer in a position to single-handedly tackle this menace effectively.

“It is not a criticism of our military; if one were to suggest a coalition, that will even include our neighbouring countries who are probably more experienced in fighting asymmetrical wars. It will not be a loss of our pride as a country.”

The NGF chairman said the governors were in Borno as “an expression of our own frustration.”

“We can’t bring back the people we have lost in the last couple of days, but if we do not take the necessary steps the entire nation will be consumed by this insurgency.”