BY DAYO ADESULU
Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has urged the Nigerian government to seek military help from well experienced neighbouring countries to combat the Boko Haram insurgent bedevilling the country.
According to Fayemi whose academics discipline is security, said the security challenges in Nigeria are beyond the Nigerian military.
In his statement titled, ‘Governors Forum: Security challenges are beyond military’, Fayemi said: “It is not a criticism of our military if one were to suggest a coalition beyond that will even include our neighbouring countries, who are probably more experienced in fighting an asymmetrical war. It will not be a loss of our pride as a country.”
Fayemi on Wednesday stated this during his visit to Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State to condole with the government and people of Borno over the 78 farmers massacred by the Boko Haram insurgents.
Accompanied by the Governor of Sokoto and the Vice Chairman of the Forum, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, and that of Niger State, Abubakar Bello, Fayemi said Nigerian soldiers are overwhelmed and needed support to tackle the security challenges.
His words: “What happened in the last three days is by far beyond any imagination, it was a massacre and it was one that none of us could come to terms easily.
“The reality we can all say, and I personally as security scholar, the reality I can see is that our military is overwhelmed. Our military is no longer in a position to single-handedly tackle this menace effectively.
“It is not a criticism of our military if one were to suggest a coalition beyond that will even include our neighbouring countries, who are probably more experienced in fighting an asymmetrical war. It will not be a loss of our pride as a country.
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“This is not a visit to gratify ourselves, no, it is an expression of also our own frustration.
“We can’t bring back the people we have lost in the last couple of days, but if we do not take the necessary steps the entire nation will be consumed by this insurgency.’
“We need to address the underlying causes of the insurgency while appreciating the effort of the federal government in implementing some policies that are geared towards addressing poverty in the entire nation, Borno State deserves more.”
