Skip to main content

Why is Buhari still keeping the service chiefs?

Fredrick Nwabufo

 

SIR: The farm is a place of sowing and reaping, and the unlikeliest haunt of the grim reaper. But at least 43 citizens who went harvesting on their farm in Borno on Saturday had their souls harvested by the emissaries of hell – Boko Haram.

How many more will have to die before President Muhammadu Buhari is stirred to do the most expedient thing regarding the failed service chiefs?

In December 2018, Boko Haram insurgents pulled a blitzkrieg on military formations in Baga, Borno State, sacking the headquarters of the Multinational Joint Task Force and taking over the place (briefly). The group steadied its onslaughts on military formations, killing many soldiers, weeks after.

At least, 18 soldiers were killed in an ambush on Maiduguri road on December 26, 2018, in one of Boko Haram’s mortal offensives. The group also persisted in inflicting attritive damages on the civilian population in the Northeast. The killings and destruction never let up; in fact, they had taken an upward trajectory since the current service chiefs were appointed.

But what did Buhari say and do in the heat of the killing of soldiers, civilians and attack on military barracks and equipment?

This is what he said in an interview on Arise TV in January, 2019 – a few days after the attacks: “The head [him] has to be very careful on removal of the service chiefs because you don’t know [the] ambition of the ones coming up. I didn’t know them on [a] personal basis, I followed records and thought I picked the best then, of course, their performance may be disappointing but I accept responsibility for not changing them. My reason is based on my own experience.”

Now, compare Buhari’s remarks to the action of President Issoufou Mahamadou of Niger Republic, who sacked his security chiefs after 89 soldiers were killed by terrorists in January.

On January 21, Lawan Andimi, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Michika Local Government Area in Adamawa, was tragically dispatched by Boko Haram. Also, Daciya Dalep, a student of the University of Maiduguri, was killed in the most infernal manner.

But how did Nigeria’s army chief respond to these tragedies? He described the attacks as the ”last kick of a dying horse”. But I wonder why this horse is not yet dead – even as the military claims the insurgents have been technically defeated.

Really, Boko Haram appears vitalised by every daring attack. On January 7, a driver attached to Olusegun Adeniyi, commander of operation Lafiya Dole (the war campaign), was killed in a derring-do attack by Boko Haram insurgents on the commander’s convoy.

The insurgents attacked Adeniyi, a major-general, who was on his way back to Maiduguri after a visit to Jakana in Borno state, where they had struck earlier.

What is derisory is that two of the service chiefs and the national security adviser are from the north-east – the theatre of the war. But rather than extirpate the menaces to the peace in the zone, two of the security chiefs are fixated on establishing military universities in their hometowns.

To me, it is clear the security chiefs have failed in the one task for which they were appointed. And I think, it is time they take a bow. In Old Japan, generals who fail in war take themselves out by hara-kiri. Not that our own generals should, but the president must prioritise the security of Nigerians over himself and let these men go.

 

  • Fredrick Nwabufo,

fredricknwabufo@yahoo.com

 



from Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics https://ift.tt/3fP2kX7
via IFTTT

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

We're glad you want to comment, kindly avoid spamming the page, thanks

Popular posts from this blog

Edo Museum of West African Art

The Benin Kingdom is known for its arts, many of which are scattered in museums around the world. The Edo State government’s decision to establish the museum of West African art will further the state’s image, writes Robert Egbe   On Friday, November 13, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki announced a post-COVID-19 recovery plan to strengthen the public sector. But perhaps the most interesting component of his proposal was the announcement of a new partnership that seeks to return Edo State to its competitive advantage many centuries ago, and establish the Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA). It is a fact that the Benin kingdom was one of the most powerful and creative kingdoms in Africa, with its art and craftmanship so globally acknowledged and renowned that European explorers marvelled at the level of sophistication of the art and culture emanating from this kingdom. Very few would argue with the fact that at some point in its history, this great kingdom was regarded as th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Boko Haram lures recruits with N5,000, says Zulum

Our Reporter Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, yesterday said Boko Haram fighters lure recruits with as low as N5,000. The governor also reveals how his government sustained the fight against insurgents in the state in the last two years. He made the revelations in his statewide broadcast to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day (June 12, 2021) and his second anniversary in office, stating that “of all Nigeria’s 36 states, none is faced with the level of Borno’s security and by extension, social and economic challenges. According to him: “From day one, we were faced with an acute humanitarian crisis, particularly in northern and some parts of the central senatorial zones. As such, we made it a policy that as governor, I assume the role of chief humanitarian officer for different reasons. “On one hand, it was our duty to deliver help to our fellow citizens that were either internally displaced or taking refuge in neighbouring countries. “On the other hand, there was ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Church launches NGO for children

By Oluwatomisin Amokeoja International Church of Christ (ICOC) Nigeria has launched Caring Hearts Initiative (CHI), which is designed to cater for the developmental needs of children between 1 to 6 years old. At the ceremony held yesterday at the ICOC’s Missions House in Ikeja, Lagos, the initiative was flagged off with the Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme, which will assist targeted children within and outside its community to develop their full potentials. ICOC’s Lead Evangelist, Mr. Chris Ogbonnaya admonished the church to ensure all that they do to glorify Christ and not jeopardise the purpose for which the initiative was founded. In his words, CHI’s Programme Director, Mr Jide Ojo noted the newly incorporated charity is posed to be the “foremost in the provision of quality and endearing care for all.” According to Ojo, 77 children from ICOC’s 11 regions in Lagos, selected through a survey, will be the first set of beneficiaries for one year. For the first batch, h...
Post a Comment
Read more