The former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida has said that the Nigerian military can confront all forms of insecurity plaguing the country if it is trained adequately and equipped with modern weapons.
Recall that the chief of army staff, Lt. Gen. Attahiru Ibrahim, had told the National Assembly that troops fighting insurgency in the northeast, banditry in the northwest and other parts of the country lack the requisite arms and ammunition to fight insecurity.
Babangida who spoke in an interview on BBC Hausa Service said Nigerian soldiers needed modern weapons.
“Yes, they do. They also need to be trained on how to use the modern weapons, not to get weapons and just hand over to them. They should be trained.”
He also said it is imperative for citizens to support government and soldiers in order to bring an end to the crisis but not without adequately equipping the military with modern weapons and training.
On whether he has ever advised the Federal Government on ways to end insecurity which has now crept into his state, Niger, Babangida said: “We give advice as we can.but we don’t make noise about it. We don’t announce that this is what we say. “We should unite. We should support those in power; we are all working towards achieving the same goal. Between the leaders and citizens, we need peace and a harmonious relationship.
“This problem of insecurity, every government had its experience… but if we unite…I remember how we fought the civil war for three years, the people supported the government, the government did its best, bought what was necessary. Those who fought were made to understand that this country is the best for them.
“It’s not only in Nigeria; many countries encountered this kind of problem. Some had it for ten years but through concerted efforts, they are out of it. I believe we can get out of this problem.
“Both citizens and those governing are trying, but we should know that it is not an easy task.”
On whether politicians are playing the desired role to bring an end to insecurity, Babangida said there were some things to be put right.
“If they agree to sit down and think over, I believe success will be achieved,’’ he said.
On what to put right, he said it is important to rally round soldiers and other security agents, support them and let them know the citizens were are behind them.
“Provide them with all they require and let them know this is their country, they’ve no other country better than this,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has lauded Babangida’s position on the need to equip the military with modern weapons.
CAN’s vice chairman, northern region Rev. John Hayab said in an interview that the federal government had previously budgeted for modern military hardware and for the training of troops with little or nothing to show for it.
“It is true that many of the weapons Nigeria security agencies are using are obsolete. The personnel also lack some basic skills and therefore need training.
“Bandits and criminals who are terrorising the people in the North have better weapons and are well trained by their sponsors than what our security have.
“So, the call by our former President IBB for the military to be given modern weapons and be trained is good, but not new because many Nigerians have made similar calls.
“However, due to reasons best known to those in power, such wise counsel was never taken seriously and…sometimes viewed as voices of the opposition and also tagged as disgruntled elements or wailers.
“Now that a former president has added his voice on the matter, we hope something concrete will be done. Though we have been told that money was voted for weapons that are not anywhere to be found now, any new release of funds for weapons when the last funds have not yet been accounted for could also disappear.
“Nonetheless, our military really needs our support as IBB said, but those in power both at the federal, states and local governments levels must do something serious to win the trust of the general public which will help boost the people support for our military,” he said.
