The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday called on President Goodluck Jonathan to carry out a full investigation into the activities and challenges of Nigeria’s security forces, especially in the North-eastern part of the country.
The NLC equally implored the National Assembly to probe the financial allocations to the military and the utilisation of the funds.
A statement by the NLC President, Abdulwaheed Omar, said labour was disturbed that despite the huge resources allocated to the security sector, insecurity remains a serious challenge in the country with the recent ambush and assassination of the Emir of Gwoza, Idrisa Timta.
It said it was worrisome that these attacks were increasing, even as the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, announced that N130 billion had been spent on security, especially on the military which is saddled with the responsibility of confronting the prevailing armed insurgency in the North-east led by the Boko Haram elements.
“The ease and precision with which these attacks are carried out, despite numerous security checkpoints and the number of security personnel deployed in the zone is worrisome and unjustifiable.
“If high profile traditional rulers could be attacked so casually just as villages and towns are being razed even in broad daylight, what would be the fate of ordinary citizens?
“For us, we believe the authorities need to demonstrate a high level of commitment on the safety of lives and property in the country generally, but especially in the North-east by carrying out deep investigations into the activities of security operatives including military personnel while we reiterate our consistent call for proper equipping and morale-boosting measures of our personnel.
“It is already a national embarrassment that the school children who were abducted from the Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, more than six weeks ago are yet to be located and rescued even as multinational interests in the rescue operations increase.
“That these children are yet to be rescued and delivered unharmed to their parents questions the commitment and credibility of those saddled with the search and rescue operation and negatively impacts on our national image.
“We are confident that our security agencies, including the military can effectively rout out the insurgents if well equipped and motivated. After all, these same personnel not only rendered a good account of themselves in foreign operations, they played a decisive role in ending conflicts in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali, etc.
“Although this war is slightly different, we are concerned that these same forces are finding it difficult to confront the insurgency back home.
“We believe government and indeed, all Nigerians must take an interest in what could be the obstacles to our collective resolve and commitment to the war on terror that has all but brought socio-economic activities in parts of the country to a halt,” NLC stated.
