Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, who represents southern Borno in the National Assembly, has called on President Bola Tinubu to hire military contractors to wipe out the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in Borno state.
Ndume, however, commended the brave performance of the Nigerian military and civilian JTF, saying they were inadequately equipped to carry out the task of eliminating remaining insurgents in the northeast.
He said even the world’s superpowers employ military contractors to support their wars. He cited the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom and France, among others, as countries that often provide services to military contractors.
The lawmaker noted that the measure was temporary and that in the long term, able-bodied young Nigerians could be conscripted to increase the country’s military strength to at least 1 million people.
Ndume made the call on Monday against the backdrop of the killing of six farmers and abduction of five others, including a woman, by Boko Haram terrorists in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
He lamented that farmers, who are regular victims of terrorist attacks, are being forced by Boko Haram to abandon their crops at a time when the country is facing a severe food crisis.
“Across the world, governments commission military contractors to provide services in specific locations. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu can see this as a short-term measure. These contractors understand the terrain and Work with military and civilian JTFs.
“These contractors will come with equipment and military hardware. In a very short period of time, they will eliminate the Boko Haram terrorists. The contractors will eliminate the bandits operating in the North West. It can also be used for
“The federal government can now draft young people into the military over a period of time, increasing that number to at least 1 million. But in the meantime, the president is considering the option of hiring military contractors. I think we should,” Ndume, who is currently away from the Republic of Benin to serve in the ECOWAS parliament, said in a telephone conversation with journalists.
According to a leadership report, in the latest attack, Jubril Dada Zarana, commander of a civilian JTF in the area, was killed by terrorists. Despite attempts to repel the attackers, no military personnel were killed.
The new attack comes just weeks after the same terrorists killed scores of civilians in bombings. Hundreds of other civilians were injured.
