The Chairman, The International Emergency Management Society, TIEMS (Nigeria/West African chapter), AVM Mohammed Audu-Bida (rtd) has said that lack of political will is the bane of the ongoing fight against insurgency in Nigeria.
He made the declaration at an interactive session with the Defense correspondents organised by I-Nigerian Initiative in Abuja.
Audu-Bida who was a former Director General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), insisted that Nigerian Armed Forces has what it takes to defeat the terrorist group adding that what was lacking was the political will of the federal government to overcome the menace of the Boko Haram insurgency in the country
A fellow of US Air War College who took active part in the ECOMOG operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone explained that the military that he left behind has the personnel and modern equipment that could overrun the terrorist camps if the political will is given by the Presidency.
He said the Nigerian military could fight and overcome war with any country any time and any day once the political will is given, not to speak of the terrorists who are holding the country to ransom.
“It baffles us what is happening that the terrorists are holding the country to ransom. I believe a lot can be done to restore sanity if there is a political will. This is our belief. I know what I am talking about. I left the Nigerian Air Force as an instructor. The Nigerian military is competent and has sophisticated equipment that could put an end to terrorism, but there is a need for the political will of our leaders.”
He cautioned the political class against polarising the military with primordial sentiments like religion and tribal sentiments if they want the counter-insurgency operation succeed.
Speaking on the The International Emergency Management Society (TIEMS), Audu-Bida disclosed that the organisation sets out to teach and educate the populace on how to prevent disasters before they happen.
“TIEMS is a global forum for education, training, certification and policy in emergency and disaster management. TIEMS is dedicated to developing and bringing the benefits of modern emergency management tools, techniques and good industry practices to society for a safer world,” he explained.
