The Senate has passed a resolution which charged the service chiefs to “step aside” following their failure to adequately tackle the nation’s security challenges.
The resolution was passed at plenary on Tuesday following a motion moved by Senator Ali Ndume (APC – Borno South).
According to the upper chamber, their ouster would allow a new set with fresh ideas to tackle the challenges.
The call for the service chiefs to exit the scene and pave way for others was equally made in January but failed to yield any fruit as they remained in office.
Moving his motion on the floor of the Senate today, Ndume expressed worry over the rising cases of loss of lives by soldiers and other security agents.
He noted that soldiers battling banditry, insurgency and other forms of criminality deserved better conditions of service.
The senator said the trend of killing of soldiers and other security agents by criminal elements would seriously dampen the nation’s battle against insecurity if left to continue.
“The senate appreciates the sacrifice of our armed forces in the fight against the insurgency and banditry and protection of territorial integrity and several other security assignments given to them.
“The senate is concerned that if the trend continues, it would have serious implications on the fight against insurgency, banditry.
“It has been alleged that over 200 soldiers voluntarily resigned their engagement or appointment with the Nigerian army,” Ndume said.
The Herald recalls that 16 soldiers were killed and 28 others injured in an attack by bandits on Saturday in Katsina State.
Supporting Ndume, Senators Istifanus Gyang and Abdullahi Yahaya (Senate Leader) condemned the incessant attacks on troops and demanded urgent action.
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The Senate directed its committees on Defence, Army, Navy, Police, Airforce, National Security and the ministry of interior to receive briefings from security agencies on the state of affairs in this regard.
The Senate equally implored the Federal Government to further provide modern equipment to aid the military in its statutory role of defending the nation against external aggression and internal insurrection.
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