Ahmed Jaha, a House of Representatives from Borno State member, has urged the federal government to consider recruiting military mercenaries to tackle the nation’s Security challenges. Jaha recommended that the government consider reenlisting the same mercenaries deployed during Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency. During a recent parliamentary session focused on Insecurity, the request was put forth by the representative of the Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal constituency. This appeal was made in response to a motion presented by Ginger Onwusibe.
Following the tragic death of civil servant Onegbu Ifeanyi in Abia State, allegedly at the hands of five naval officers, Onwusibe proposed a motion to address the issue. The House requested the Nigerian Navy to conduct a thorough and fair investigation into Onegbu’s death after his appeal, with a focus on identifying and holding all responsible parties accountable. They were also urged to implement measures to prevent torture and abuse in the institution, such as increased Human Rights training and adherence to legal procedures.
Those mercenaries had some impact on Jonathan’s administration.
Additionally, the Federal Government was called upon to provide necessary support and compensation to the deceased’s family. All members supported the motion without any objections during the vote initiated by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen. During the discussion, Jaha suggested hiring mercenaries to help with Nigeria’s security problems. He recalled a similar attempt during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, where mercenaries showed promise in combating Boko Haram. To combat this threat, in 2014, Jonathan brought in ex-members of the South African Defence Force to train the Nigerian Armed Forces in countering the terrorists in the northeast.
During that period, he refuted claims of employing them as fighters, asserting that they were only acting in an advisory capacity. However, they said the then president, Muhammadu Buhari, decided to relocate them from the country, causing a rise in insecurity spreading to different regions. After spending eight years as president, he failed to effectively address the nationwide security issues he vowed to tackle during his campaign. Despite his strong stance against foreign mercenaries, insecurity spread to different parts of the country under his leadership.
Nigerians are not adequately protected by security agencies.
Jaha pointed out that Nigerians are not adequately protected by Security Agencies nationwide. He stated his plan to advocate for the deployment of private military contractors, as he believes traditional security forces have not effectively dealt with the ongoing violence from insurgent groups despite receiving a significant amount of funding totalling ₦19 trillion. According to Jaha, if security agencies do not receive a significant amount of funding, the issue of insecurity in Nigeria will persist indefinitely.
Between 2015 and 2023, about ₦19 trillion was designated for security and security-related fields in Nigeria. However, there is an alternative approach in mind. A movement is being planned to submit a position paper regarding the proposal to employ mercenaries as a solution to the ongoing insecurity issues, given that the current security agencies have not been effective in protecting the country. Since 2009, Nigeria has faced ongoing challenges with violent extremists, particularly in the north eastern parts of the country. Under Jonathan’s leadership, the group became increasingly bold and carried out multiple bombings in the Federal Capital Territory.
Related Article: State police can solve insecurity issues–Gov
Collaboration among security agencies in a country can profoundly impact National Security and public safety. By sharing intelligence, resources, and expertise, security agencies can enhance their ability to prevent and respond to threats such as Terrorism, cyber-attacks, and organised crime. Collaboration allows for a more coordinated and effective approach to identifying and addressing security risks, leading to faster and more targeted responses to potential threats. It can help bridge gaps in information and communication, reducing the likelihood of critical information being overlooked or misunderstood. This can improve situational awareness and a more proactive approach to security challenges.
