HURIWA, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, called the Federal Government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday to hire mercenaries to supplement the military’s fight against the onslaught of terrorists.
In a statement, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, called the rate at which terrorists from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province had killed soldiers in the last two years as concerning and unprecedented.
According to the group, the killing of over 750 soldiers by insurgents in the last two years is concerning and indicates that fatigue has infiltrated the military, which has been responsible for the high rate of casualties suffered by the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, and Nigerian Navy in recent times.
According to a study published in August 2022, terrorists on the rampage across the country have targeted approximately 16 military bases in the last 18 months, killing approximately 750 soldiers in various parts of the country.
According to a study published in August 2022, terrorists on the rampage across the country have targeted approximately 16 military bases in the last 18 months, killing approximately 750 soldiers in various parts of the country.
Six major attacks on military bases occurred in Borno, Katsina, Kaduna, Taraba, and Niger states in 2022. These were separate from other attacks on the military, such as ambushes and attacks on their convoys, and the most recent attack on soldiers occurred on July 28 near the Zuma Rock checkpoint. The attack claimed the life of a soldier.
On July 18, 2022, terrorists assaulted a military base in Sarkin Pawa Town, Munya Local Government Area, Niger State. The perimeter of the 6th Brigade military base in Jalingo, Taraba State, was attacked by alleged ISWAP members on May 10.
In addition, on April 4, suspected Ansaru terrorists attacked a military base at Polewire on the Kaduna-Birnin Road in Kaduna State’s Birnin Gwari Local Government Area, killing at least 11 troops and injuring 19 others.
On March 19, ISWAP rebels attacked the multinational military installation in Doron Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area, Borno State.
Terrorists also invaded the military facility located within Government Day Secondary School, Shinfada, in Katsina State’s Jibia Local Government on January 21.
According to estimates, at least 11 military outposts in the North were attacked in 2021. Soldiers stopped some of the attacks.
The President said on Friday in Abuja, where he was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, at the graduation of Course 30 of the National Defence College, “Government is deeply concerned about the activities of bandits and criminals who have reared their ugly heads in some parts of the country.” This is because the amount of unprovoked violent attacks on citizens looks to be increasing. This is intolerable.”
HURIWA’s Onwubiko stated that, in addition to condemning the terrorists’ assault on the military, the President must be decisive and take swift action.
Onwubiko stated, “The President, as Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, must strategize the anti-terrorism fight because the troops appear to be losing, with hundreds having paid the ultimate price in the last two years.”
According to the report, terrorists killed 750 soldiers during the third quarter of 2020 and July 2022. This is intolerable.
“With immediate effect, the President must reorganize the security architecture and fire the military chiefs whose ineffective leadership has lost over 750 families their beloved siblings, sisters, and breadwinners.”
“The President must ensure that the morale of the soldiers who are still alive is boosted by timely payment of salaries, acquisition of modern-day superior weapons, as soldiers in leaked videos have lamented the lack of superior firepower to their adversaries, payment of entitlement to families of fallen heroes, and other measures.”
“Also, the use of foreign mercenaries cannot be overstated.” The Armed Forces are overstretched, according to the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, because they are now engaged in domestic security operations that should have been conducted by the Nigeria Police Force. The use of foreign mercenaries is necessary to minimize further military personnel losses. Any opposition to this is suicidal.
“Similarly, on December 15, 2021, the Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Dingyadi, stated that the Federal Government had approved a 20% increase in salaries for personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, effective January 2022, but police officers have been complaining that the raise had yet to take effect even eight months later.” The President must ensure that police officers receive the morale boost they need to tackle internal security while military face Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.
“Also, the Federal Government must immediately grant licenses to regional security outfits in the South-East, South-West, and Benue State for these vigilante men to bear arms in order to consolidate the operations of the military and police, as the Army and police are overstretched, with many attached to Very Important Persons and politicians rather than security the country against internal and external threats.”
