The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has said that the military personnel and other security agencies engaging Boko Haram in the North-east needed a sound welfare pack age to boost their morale.
MURIC, in a statement by its spokesman, Prof. Isiaq Akintola, said: “Reports from the three states under emergency rule as a result of Boko Haram onslaughts indicate that the morale of soldiers in the areas is very low, courtesy of poor welfare package and lack of motivation. This logically explains the recent allegation that soldiers flee on sighting Boko Haram fighters who are better equipped and robustly motivated.”
The organisation also said the incessant killings were avoidable if the Nigerian military was properly motivated and well equipped, adding that “the allegation that some of the injured soldiers pay for their treatment is sickening.”
“Ditto for the rumoured provision of N50, 000 for the family of slain soldiers; it is simply disgusting. The report of poor feeding is also enough to dampen the enthusiasm of soldiers in the area.”
It added that it was alarmed that “unless a drastic review of welfare conditions of soldiers fighting Boko Haram takes place very soon; the vandals may overrun Maiduguri, occupy the Government House and take the governor captive.”
“We, therefore, call for immediate institution of a probe into the issue of welfare for Nigerian soldiers in the Boko Haram areas. This should include their feeding, allowances and health care.
“The federal government must not make the unpardonable mistake of abandoning the North to the North. It will give extremists the chance to take over. We believe that the stability of the North is very crucial to the stability of Nigeria because when the hen perches on the rope, neither the hen nor the rope can stand firmly.”
