When the Governor of Borno State, Governor Kashim Shettima, declared that Boko Haram is better armed and motivated than the Nigerian military, so many people did not take him seriously. In fact, the top military officials and presidency denied the claim saying “we state categorically that the Nigerian military is one of the best equipped in Africa and that in 2014, the federal government made budgetary provision in excess of N1 trillion for the military and other security agencies, an amount which is about 22 per cent of our entire national budget for this year….” These were the words of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe, on behalf of the presidency.
But over time, the intractable battle has proved the words of Shettima as the military was not spared in the ferocious attacks by the Boko Haram insurgents who fearlessly engaged the military in a fight that claimed lives and properties, including another attack the insurgents launched on the Giwa barracks.
Seriously speaking, the authorities must look into the issues of motivation and morale of the soldiers to address all grievances that could be impediments to their loyalty. There are also issues that need urgent attention, especially concerning the wellbeing of the rank and file who always go on that battle with all the exposure to risk and danger.
Issues of military politics, the ‘small boys’ welfare and corruption and the claim that the Nigerian military were not doing well enough must be looked into with a view to reposition the armed forces for effective service delivery.
Now the reality has come to play as the news making headlines on soldiers’ mutiny in Borno flood the media. ‘The Small boys’ are obviously tired of being pushed in the Sambisa Forest without proper motivation and equipment to fight the dreaded gunmen. Let it be said here that the soldiers are also human; the sight of their dead friends did not only infuriate them, but the fact that they were less cared for, less motivated, yet on a no-going-back duty to defend the nation with their lives might have been the cause of their resistance.
Thank God this action has drawn the attention of many to these loopholes and the appeal to the Federal Government now is to look into the matter as quickly as possible, in order to stop offering up the Nigerian Army as sacrificial lambs on the altar of national service.
The issue of corruption in the military should not only be tackled but every one found guilty should be brought to book.
Doyin Ojosipe,
Abuja
