A member of the House of Representatives from Borno State, Mr. Abdulrahman Terab, said on Monday that 80 per cent of the attacks carried out by members of the Boko Haram sect were never reported.
Terab stated that unknown to Nigerians outside Borno State, most of the killings and destruction of property went unreported.
Terab said such attacks took place when military personnel were not around the vicinity of the communities hit by the sect members.
He noted that the number of men posted to provide security in the communities was not only enough, but also that the men rarely patrolled the affected areas.
According to him, what the insurgents do is to go to areas, where there is no military presence, to attack.
He suggested that such attacks could be better checked, if the soldiers “move around” frequently to engage the insurgents as they operated from one community to another.
Terab, who spoke with journalists at the National Assembly in Abuja, added, “No matter how weak we think our security agencies are, they should go round and check most of these attacks.
“Unfortunately, 80 per cent of the attacks are not being reported. They (insurgents)”do not come and attack in the presence of our forces.
“That means there is a semblance of a might in the presence of our security men, things do not happen. If that is the case, it means the need for them to run around and even get more personnel is imperative at this moment.”
The lawmaker called for the deployment of additional troops to the state to give backing to those already on ground, because most communities are far away from each other, requiring more men to effectively patrol them.
He spoke further, “I represent three local governments, with a population of between 450,000 and 650,000. We have only one barracks in Bama, which is the 212 Battalion, with just about 200 officers.
“In a normal situation, when there is an attack, the military will have to get the express approval of Mr. President, being the Commander-in-Chief, for them to move out of their barracks to conduct any kind of operation at any given time.
“Somebody is in Bama, and 200 or so kilometres away from Ngala, there is an attack. You want to tell me they have to look for the President wherever he is for him to give approval for the soldiers to come out?
“With the state of emergency, it means as it is presently, they can run around. At least, we have some units in Gamboru Ngala; we have some units in parts of Kala-Belge; we have some units on the shore of Lake Chad, which are not barracks.
“But, without the state of emergency, it means they should only be in their designated barracks, and not only that; they cannot respond.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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It is sad that ordinary poor people are suffering from the actions of these greedy, wicked and selfish politicians. How can a man wilfully set his house on fire and be crying and quarrelling with rescuers for not doing enough or not acting so fast. It is strange! Isn't it?
ReplyDeleteHe a Boko Haram Journalist, trying to publicize their achievements an strength.
ReplyDelete