President Muhammadu Buhari’s sack of the service chiefs on Monday has ended weeks of speculations on whether he would retain or fire them. Buhari inherited the top military personnel from the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. The president has however appointed new service chiefs. But the question in the lips of most Nigerians is; would this development have positive impact on the fight against Boko Haram insurgency in the North –East of the country?
Since 1999, Boko Haram members have held the country by the jugular, killing, maiming and destroying with reckless abandon. In the last couple of years, an estimated 13,000 persons have been killed and properties valued at millions of naira destroyed in Bornu, Yobe, Adamawa and Bauchi states.
But towards the end of former President Jonathan’s administration, the Nigerian military with the support of neighbouring countries like Cameroon, Chad and Niger curtailed the activities of the dreaded group. But of late the group seemed to have once again intensified its activities even beyond the Nigerian territory.
Reflecting, Richard Amuwa, director, media & publicity for the Society of Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria believes the new appointments are indicative of the President’s desire to re-strategise and reposition the military for the war against terrorism in the Northeast region. Dipo Kehinde, Editor-In-Chief, Chef Detective Magazine says it’s a step in the right direction. His words: “We need to reorganise the army, improve soldiers’ morale, and adopt new tactical strategies that will end the reign of this predictable sect that has dealt heavy murderous blows to our people and our psyche.”
Olusoji Abu, an Assistant Director, Education I District, Lagos believed the firing was long overdue, even as Sunday Oladejo insisted it was change all the way in readiness for the final onslaught on Boko Haram.
But in as much as Buhari has removed the service chiefs, security experts are tepid on the positive impact this might bring to the table considering that the erstwhile President Jonathan changed the service chiefs a number of times also. Although, it seems the change of baton in the leadership of country’s security apparatus is a step towards the President’s resolve to nip the insurgency in the bud, the coming weeks and months will prove if the sack of the service chiefs would have any positive impact.
DAILY INDEPENDENT
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