Reps kick over resurgence of Boko Haram attacks
By Idun Maximus
The House of Representatives has expressed worries over the resurgence of attacks on military formations in Borno and Yobe states by Boko Haram insurgents.
The Green chamber, while adopting a motion on the recent fire incident at the armoury in Giwa Barracks, in Borno State, resolved to review security measures in military installations to prevent a reoccurrence.
The House also mandated its committees on Army, Defense and National Security, to investigate the incident and report back to it within four weeks for further legislative actions.
The parliament also urged the relevant authorities to strengthen security operations in Borno and Yobe states to protect military personnel and civilians, as well as provide support and compensation to families of soldiers affected by the incidents.
This followed the adoption of a motion by the chairman, House Committee on National Intelligence, Ahmed Satomi, calling the attention of the House to the escalating attacks on military formations in Borno and Yobe states.
Satomi, in his motion, noted that attacks on military formations in Borno and Yobe states have escalated in the last two months. According to him, several soldiers and civilians have been killed in the recent attacks.
He expressed concern that “the recent surge in Boko Haram attacks on military formation is deeply alarming, and also bravery and sacrifice of our military personnel are being tested by these relentless assaults.”
The chairman, House Committee on Navy, Yusuf Gagdi, who expressed dismay that Nigerians are being killed every day by insurgents, said President Bola Tinubu must hold military commanders accountable for alleged negligence.
Gagdi, while stating that several platforms belonging to the military have been taken away by Boko Haram insurgents, wondered: “how can we guarantee the safety of the Nigerian people in the circumstances, the platform that are meant to protect this people have been taken away by the enemies of the people?”
He added: “Mr Speaker, we have been doing our best. Under your leadership, the National Assembly has been speaking on issues of insecurity. But actions by departments of government must be taken. Mr President must hold Nigerian military strategic commanders and other heads of security agencies accountable for negligence of their responsibilities.”
Ahmed Jaha, in his contribution, noted that Boko Haram was back worse than it was in the past. According to him, the insurgents are now deploying armed drones in their attacks.
“Boko Haram is using armed drones. Let it be on record. They are using armed drones, which Nigerian Army is not using. In order words, they are more sophisticated than the Nigerian Army.
” Boko Haram is coming back worse than what we had before. Boko Haram, ISWAP or whatever name you call it, they are coming back. Let us do something in order not to go back to days when 22 out of 27 local government of Borno were occupied by Boko Haram”, Jaha stated.
The lawmaker, who called for concerted effort to tackle the resurgence by Boko Haram, noted that “between 2016-2019 Nigeria government spent over N19 trillion on security. I have the record.”
In his remarks, Zainab Gimba, stated that attacks on military formations in Borno State has become a regular occurrence.
Gimba explained that one of the military commanders in the state confirmed to her that there were some “white men” among the Boko Haram insurgents that attacked one of the military formations in March this year.
In the same vein, the House has condemned the killings and destruction of properties in Otukpo Community in Benue State.
The House, which adopted a motion by Blessing Onuh, on the “deteriorating security situation in Otukpo local government Area of Benue state, charged security chiefs to ensure maximum deployment of security personnel to the area.
The Green chamber, while charging the security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice, urged the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to urgently provide relief materials to those affected by the attacks.
Meanwhile, the House has urged the Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Services to commence a full-scale probe the killing of 16 “hunters” in Uromi in Edo State and ensure that the culprits are brought to justice.
It also charged the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to carry out an independent inquiry into the matter and recommend appropriate redress, including compensation for the families of the deceased.
AbeyaNews reports that the parliament, while commending the Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, for taking proactive measures in the wake of the incident to douse tension, urged the Edo State government to pay compensation for the lives lost in the incident.
This followed the adoption of a motion by the deputy minority leader, Aliyu Madaki and two others of the killing of the “hunters” from Kano State allegedly by a vigilance group in Uromi on March 27.
