August 15, 2022

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume has said that the Nigerian Army is up to the task if given what they need to tackle the security situation in the country, while calling on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security.

Ndume spoke on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, saying the government should prioritise the security of Nigerians.

“The earlier we prioritise this seriously and even declare a kind of state of emergency in the areas of security and welfare of citizens, the better for us because that is what the government is all about,” he said during the show.

“The constitution is very clear that the purpose of government is security and welfare of its citizens. The earlier the government and people of Nigeria in all the arms of government concentrate on making sure that our country is secure and our citizens’ welfare is taken care of, the better for us.”

Nigeria is battling a myriad of security challenges. From banditry in the North-West to terrorism in the North-East, kidnapping for ransom in the South-East to oil bunkering in the South-South, cultism in the South-West to rape, security forces are grappling with securing the lives and properties of over 180 million Nigerians.

While successes have been recorded in the fight against criminal elements, Ndume believes better equipment for the Army will aid their fight against insecurity.

“I will say it again (that) the purpose of government is security and welfare of the citizens. The Nigerian Army doesn’t have the number. They don’t have the equipment; they don’t have the technology that is required to solve or handle these challenges we have,” the lawmaker said.

The Senator representing Borno South Senatorial, is, however, confident that the Armed Forces have all it takes to fight insecurity.

He added, “I will say again that the Nigerian Army I know is up to the task if given what they need. And if they are given what they need, they should be given a timeline.

“As for the action taken by the army, that is an action expected of them but that goes to show in total that if the army has the number, the modern equipment that they require, they can tackle this problem within the shortest possible time.”