The Defence Headquarters yesterday said it has not activated its Reserve List to reinforce troops fighting Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast.
But it was gathered from a top source that if there is need to call for reserve force, it will only affect those who have retired from the Armed Forces in the last three years.
According to the Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, the “Reserve List/ Force is still dormant, we are yet to activate it.”
Another military officer, however said: “If there is need for the military to call on its Reserve Force, it will only affect those who have retired in the last three years. It is not a blanket reactivation of all military retirees.
“To activate the Reserve List has to be a serious business; it is not what any branch of the Armed Forces can do alone. The military will do such reactivation officially and formally.
“As a matter of fact, such a decision will involve the National Security Council and even the Council of State. This insurgency has not reached such a level.
“I think Nigerians should have faith in the capability of the nation’s Armed Forces to curtail the insurgency. What we see is that we tend to run down the military as if it is incapacitated.”
Responding to a question, the source added: “Troops are in many states and this is why it appears that the Armed Forces are depleted.”
The National Security Adviser, Mr. Sambo Dasuki, on February 24 said armed forces had been deployed in 32 out of the 36 states to check security challenges.
But Northern Organisation Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has lauded what it called the Federal Government’s plan to reinstate 10,000 retired soldiers to boost the strength of the army in the fight against insurgency.
It however warned that ex-Niger-Delta militants should not by any means be considered in the reinstatement process.
The ACF in a statement in Kaduna yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim, said concerned authority must scrutinised the retired soldiers thoroughly and reinstate only qualified persons.
The statement said: “It has been brought to the knowledge of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) that the Federal Government has authorized the reinstatement of 10,000 retired soldiers back into the Nigeria Army. This in the wisdom of Government is to boost the strength of the military to confront the insurgency that has engulfed the country.
“ACF welcomes this development, however, it wishes to caution the authorities responsible for the reinstatement to scrutinize the retired soldiers thoroughly and ensure that only persons qualified in accordance with military regulations are recalled.
“Furthermore, the issue of Federal character must be reflected in the selection process to ensure fair representation of all sections of the country. ACF therefore urges the authorities to display transparency and honesty in the reinstatement exercise.
“ACF particularly advises that those who have never been in the military and therefore, cannot be re-instated or recalled should be precluded from the exercise, as on no account should ex-militants, who after receiving formal training as part of Amnesty granted by late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua’s benevolence, be considered to benefit from the exercise. They are not qualified for either reinstatement or recall from the reserve list.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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This is another confirmation that ACF is behind Bokoharam, this was the same warning and threats they issued when Ihejirika was about flushing BH. This goes to show ACF does not want this insurgence to end. I hope those who lost their love ones and their loves are held by Boko Haram such Chibok girls can see of a truth ACF and APC and some Northern politicians are behind the insurgence and are responsible for mayhem going on in the country.
ReplyDeleteWhat is wrong if the Fed Govt, uses who ever it wants, as long as this menace ends, even if it brings foreign forces to end it. Every Nigerians has the right or obligation to serve the country in what capacity he/she likes or asked by the govt to serve.
Because these beasts and anti-Christs do not want this evil to end each time they perceive govt is doing or about doing something that will end this insurgence they start shouting. Nigerians should call for prosecution of this AFC members and their likes so that we can end this BOKOHARAM problems.
God must expose them one day. They are indeed the boko haram sponsors.
ReplyDeleteI do not think there is nothing like RESERVE list in the Army honestly, I am saying the truth and Olukolade knows. There has not been any arrangement for such, belief me.
ReplyDelete