Press Statement
NOPRIN is deeply worried by the incessant ambushes and attacks on Nigerian soldiers by Boko Haram fighters believed to be from the IS-affiliated Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and the rising death toll.
NOPRIN is even the more outraged by the apparent nonchalant attitude and posture of indifference by the Nigerian President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces over the ineptitude and failure of security chiefs of which our gallant troops deployed to fight the militants with superior fire power now bear the brunt.
It is a national shame that Nigerian soldiers deployed to combat terrorists have themselves become easy targets and victims of incessant attacks and massacre by the same terrorists. The frequency of the attacks and the casualty levels continue to increase in recent times without any visible effort on the part of security chiefs and the President and Commander-in-Chief to check the unacceptable situation.
NOPRIN has viewed footage of surviving soldiers bitterly protesting and complaining about their being ‘sent on suicide mission’ to the theatres of war by military authorities. They also complain that they are ‘being used to make money, not fight Boko Haram’ and that Boko Haram are better equipped than they are. We could hear some of the disgruntled soldiers lament that they are given outdated and dysfunctional weapons to combat terrorists who are obviously better armed with modern sophisticated weapons.
Reports indicate that last Monday, 18th November 2018 attack on Nigerian Army by Boko Haram at Metele Guzamala Borno State “led to the death of 70 Nigerian soldiers” in one fell swoop.
There are some estimates that between July 16, 2018 and November 21, 2018, Nigeria has lost 186 soldiers in Boko Haram/ISWAP ambushes in Borno and Yobe states, with heavy casualties in Zari and Metele, Guzamala—163 soldiers alone. If we conjecture the unknown number of soldiers ambushed and killed in Sasawa in September, and the 200 soldiers killed earlier in Kiki on July 14, 2018, we will likely be talking about a number far higher than the baseline number of 300 soldiers that makes up a battalion. This is not acceptable, and we condemn it without reservation.
Yet, the Commander-in-Chief, who once boasted of “leading from the front,” is preoccupied with re-election campaigns and busy receiving politicians in Aso Rock.
During a recent field visit by NOPRIN researchers to Maiduguri, Borno State to ascertain the level of preparedness of the Nigeria Police to take over internal security duties from ‘liberated communities’, in view of the on-going discussions about the return of police primacy in the North East, particularly Borno State, NOPRIN observed very sordid and sickening state of working and living condition of police officers and the neglect of police officers who were wounded by Boko Haram and how their neglect adversely impact on their morale, dedication and effectiveness.
NOPRIN researchers spoke directly with a number of police officers including officers and family members of officers who were either grievously injured and maimed or killed in the cause of fighting Boko Haram. Many of those who spoke narrated their bitter experiences in the battle field, the ordeal they are still passing through and how their neglect by the police leadership and government affect them and their families and lowered their morale and dedication to service.
NOPRIN wonders why, despite the arrest and continued detention of Dasuki, former National Security Adviser under the previous government, for allegedly embezzling funds meant to equip the military to effectively fight Boko Haram, the current government has still failed to adequately fund and equip our security forces and enhance their operational capacity to confront and actually defeat Boko Haram. Despite repeated claims of having ‘technically defeated Boko Haram’, attacks by Boko Haram and avoidable death toll on our fighting forces remains on the increase with many so-called liberated communities still displaced.
Regrettably, homes that make up a battalion are currently filled with mourners and all that concerns our President is his re-election!
Again, NOPRIN is concerned about the partisan disposition of our security agencies and the fact that the current leadership of the security agencies are rather focused on protecting regime interest than discharging their professional functions and prioritizing the safety and security needs of Nigerians.
OUR CALLS
NOPRIN hereby reiterates its earlier call on President Buhari to effect needed changes in the security agencies’ hierarchy. This is more so as the terms of office of military chiefs have already expired while that of the IGP expires in January 2019.
NOPRIN also calls on President Buhari to demonstrate sincerity in his expressed commitment to prioritize the safety and security of Nigerians and to put the larger national interest above his personal partisan interest.
Okechukwu Nwanguma
National Coordinator
08064974531
November 24, 2018
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