Following intense the country’s increasing and intense security challenges, the Senate, yesterday, Tuesday demanded that the service chiefs step aside.
The call was made following a motion by Ali Ndume, Senate Committee Chairman on the Army, following a recent ambush of soldiers in Katsina State and reported voluntary resignation of hundreds of soldiers.
Ndume described the developments as worrying. He however did not recommend their removal. Pursuant to his observation and subsequent deliberations, Senator Francis Fadahunsi proposed that the service chiefs step aside.
The proposal was was supported by other senators who passed the resolution for the service chiefs who have been in office since 2015 step aside.
They also demanded that a joint defence committee comprising the army, navy, airforce, police and interior members engage with the military to evaluate the real state of affairs of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Seator Ndume is worried that if the security challenges facing the country continues, there will be severe consequences for the country.
Nigeria has faced increasing kidnapping, insurgency by the Boko Haram terrorist group, banditry and a number of other security challenges in recent time. Efforts to contain them have met with stiff resistance as the army is often seemingly overwhelmed. The service chiefs have therefore face serious criticism.
The 8th Assembly had also made several demands for a review of the military make up including the removal of service chiefs.
President Muhammadu Buhari had, in June warned the service chiefs that excuses will not longer be tolerated. According to him, their “best was not good enough.”