Insurgency: Group reiterates call for sack of service chiefs

Group under the aegis of Conference of Concerned Nigeria Elders have reiterated call for sack of service chiefs to reverse the worsening security situation across the federation.

They appealed to the president to appoint new service chiefs to reverse the level of Insecurity in Nigeria.

They argued that the growing state of insecurity across Nigeria necessitated the call by political leaders, professional groups, political parties and other interest groups for the sack of the current head of military services and the Defence Headquarters (DHQ).

This latest call is contained in the statement signed by Prof. Tunde Banjo for South West, Dr Achike Nwachukwu for South East, Barr. Jackson Spiff for South South, Alhaji Baba Usman Funtua, North West, Prof. Shehu Bulama for North East and Dr. Isaiah Terhila for North Central zones.

The Elders, tasked the President to see reasons with the overwhelming call by majority of Nigerians as well as recent resolutions of the two chambers of the National Assembly for the sack of the service chiefs for efficient security management in the country.

Noting that the security heads were not indispensable, the elders regretted that their inability to contend insecurity since their appointments had portrayed the All Progressives Congress, (APC ) led federal government in a bad light.

The elders particularly said it found the president’s inaction over sack of service chiefs and implementation of some far-reaching resolutions of the National Assembly on insecurity very disturbing.

While positing that the issue of security of life and property was “deteriorating on hourly basis,” the group decried “Mr President’s deliberate refusal to act according to the demands of Nigerians”.

The statement reads: “We found President Muhammad Buhari’s inaction over the sack of the service chiefs and other recommendations on security very disturbing and abnormal hence, we  passionately appealed to him to rethink and save the country from further loss of lives and properties.

“We issue this statement to state our position on a pertinent national issue that has become embarrassing to our dear country and which has put us to shame even among our immediate brothers in the West African sub region.

“It is the issue of security of life and property which is deteriorating daily, and which Mr President has deliberately refused to act according to the demands of Nigerians.

“We wish to categorically say that it is not normal for a whole country to be speaking with one voice that the service chiefs should not only be sacked but also that the entire security architecture be rejigged, and Mr President would remain adamant and less concerned.

“Nigerians are tired of the alarming insecurity in the country and the seeming inaction of Mr President in addressing the situation.”

The elders however, expressed fears that Nigerians may resort to self help if nothing is done urgently.

The group added that those responsible for actions or inaction which has heightened the insecurity must go and new and effective hands injected into the system.

The statement claimed that there is already low morale in the military over the continued stay of the service chiefs whose tenures in their various offices have since lapsed.

While saying that the service chiefs are not indispensable, the Elders said that there is need to give room for younger ones with new ideas and vigour to lead the military.

The Elders concluded that the continued stay of the incumbent service chiefs in office had continued to stagnate career of many military officers.