PDP, SERAP, CDHR React to Buratai’s Comment on B’Haram’s Resurgence

• PDP expresses fear about current security challenges.
• SERAP, CDHR, Ohanaeze call for the sack of security chiefs.

Prominent groups, individuals and political parties have expressed shock over the statement made by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, who blamed “inadequate commitment of troops on the front line of the insurgency war” for the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks.

iDONSABI reports that Buratai on Tuesday blamed soldiers at the frontlines for the recent setbacks in the war against Boko Haram.

“It is unfortunate, but the truth is that almost every setback the Nigerian Army has had in our operations in recent times can be traced to insufficient willingness to perform assigned tasks or simply insufficient commitment to a common national and military course by those at the frontlines.”

Reacting, the Socio-Economic Right and Accountability Project (SERAP) said the security chiefs ought to be replaced.

READ: “Efforts are Ongoing to Eradicate Boko Haram” – Buratai

In an interview with Punch,SERAP Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, said : “What I think should happen is that the President as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has to replace the security chiefs.

“This is because once a war goes on and you are not able to do what is expected of you, I think you probably need a replacement. New officers with a new set of ideas will be brought on board. This is very important.

“If the commander cannot vouch for the integrity and seriousness of his troops, then I think that the commander should be allowed to go.”

The main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), corroborates SERAP calling for the sack of the security chiefs.

Diran Odeyemi, the PDP’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary describe the situation as worrisome having budgeted huge sum of money to tackle Boko Haram and kidnapping, insecurity was still high in the country.

“The leadership of these security outfits need to be questioned…If the head of Daura community could be kidnapped, who else is safe in this country? We are not safe. The United Kingdom just gave a directive to its nationals that Nigeria is not safe for them to visit. This is very unfortunate. We call on Buhari to declare a state of emergency in security and act fast.

“The service chiefs should be sacked with immediate effect. They deserve to be sacked. He should sack all of them.”

On its part, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), the government shouldn’t bother looking in ascertaining the reality of affairs on the ground.

READ: Boko Haram: Buhari to Hold Meeting With Regional Leaders on June 12

“This is a very grave and authoritative statement coming from no less a security top actor than the army chief. The Buhari administration should look no further in ascertaining the reality of affairs on the ground.

“I believe that Nigeria can no longer suffer under the weight of aggressive attacks. If the army chief is aware and has done very little or nothing to stop it, then it means that the conspiracy is not only in the frontlines but also in the hierarchy of the army leadership itself,”  CDHR National President, Malachy Ugwummadu said.

Also reacting, the Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate the root cause of the problem.

“The army must be in internal contradiction or tired of the war. Whatever it is, Mr President needs to investigate the challenges facing the army and the root causes,”Chuks Ibegbu, Ohanaezze’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary said.