The House of Representative is set to launch investigations into the utilization of all funds appropriated to the armed forces. The resolution followed a motion brought under matters of urgent importance by the deputy minority leader, Chukwuka Onyema, at a plenary session on Tuesday 27th Nov.
It was revealed that scores of Nigerian soldiers of 157 battalions were hit by Boko Haram insurgents referred to as "Islamic State West Africa (ISWAP) on November 18, 2018, at Metele village, Borno State.
The initial figure of the casualty was put at 44. However, as subsequent details emerged, the figure kept increasing. It was revealed over 100 soldiers are still missing in action. Consequently, this has prompted the green chamber to swing into action by questioning the expenditure of the Armed Forces.
Moving the motion, Mr. Onyema noted that available information revealed that the insurgents carted away large cache of arms and ammunition from the besieged military base, to which security experts revealed would pose great danger to the Nation.
Within the past year, there have been series of attacks by insurgents along the shores of Lake Chad, which has hindered efforts in winning the war against the insurgency.
The lawmaker recalled several other attacks on the military which has raised fears on the capability of the armed forces.
He mentioned that in Bama LGA of the State, Boko Haram terrorists overran military bases in Gajiram and Alagaye villages on June 18, and July 13, 2018, respectively, Contributing to the debate, Zakari Mohammed (Kwara, PDP) said the manner the attacks were recorded portrays lack of proper synergy amongst the armed forces, suggesting that there is rivalry amongst them.
Mr, Mohammed alleged the authorities go for inferior ammunition and end up losing the battles.
In a similar manner, Abdulsalam Dasuki (Sokoto, PDP) revealed that the Nigerian Armed forces were once the pride of Africa, however the recent attack suggests otherwise.
Acknowledging that lack of adequate personnel in the armed forces is a contributing factor, he also disclosed that the combined figure of members of the armed forces in the Country was less than 200,000.
He added that in last three years no single person was sacked for incompetence. "It will not be wrong to say that the Commander – in – Chief has failed us.
The man that says he will bring the killers to book (but) has not done so. If he doesn’t bring them to book then it is high time we Nigerians bring them to book.”
The House also resolved to investigate the operational lapses that led to the killings of the soldiers and urged the military to conduct proper investigations in order to make public the identities of the fallen soldiers.
