Service Chiefs Asked To Step Down From Service By Senate

Service chiefs have asked to step aside by the Senate following the insurgency rife in the northern part of the country.

The motion to step the service chiefs down was sponsored by Ali Ndume who represents Borno South and also serves as the Chairman of the Committee on Army.

The service chiefs came under fire early this year after a spate of deaths from the hands of bandits, especially in the north, claimed the lives of hundreds of Nigerians.

Nigerians had called for the sack of the service chiefs who are overdue for retirement.

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Ndume said that over 200 soldiers have "voluntarily resigned their engagement or appointment with the Nigerian army," adding that dozens of soldiers have being killed and wounded in their fight against the insurgents, stating that if the trend continues, it would "have serious implications on the fight against insurgency, banditry."

He said, “The senate notes with concern the number of casualties among the Nigerian army and other security agencies.

“That just recently 24 soldiers were ambushed and killed along Maiduguri-Damboa road in Borno state, 19 were wounded and nine were declared missing in action.

“In Katsina, soldiers were also ambushed and killed while several others were wounded, the number of casualties is not known.

“The senate appreciates the sacrifice of our armed forces in the fight against the insurgency and banditry and protection of territorial integrity and several other security assignments given to them.

“The senate is concerned that if the trend continues, it would have serious implications on the fight against insurgency, banditry.

“It has been alleged that over 200 soldiers voluntarily resigned their engagement or appointment with the Nigerian army.”