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Atiku Calls For More Funding For The Military To Enable It Win War Against Insurgency

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Following the death of dozens of soldiers during an attack on a military base by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State last weekend, the Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has called for more funding for the Nigerian Army.

The former Vice President, who assured that increase in funding will enable the military acquire the necessary hardware needed to confront the insurgent, stated further that more funding will help boost the morale of the troop, which will in turn translate to victory for the country.

Atiku made this call in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja, through his media adviser Paul Ibe.

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The presidential candidate, who called for unity among political elite on the matter of funding for the military, describe as embarrassing a situation where criminals and terrorist have better and more sophisticated weapons than members of our armed forces.

The increasing deaths of our servicemen at the hand of terrorists and criminals, especially in the Northeast and Middle Belt, is a clear sign that our troops need to be better funded and better equipped. It is true that funds are scarce, but this is an emergency and if we do not take care of an emergency, it becomes a crisis which can lead to a total breakdown of law and order – anarchy in essence.

I have been traveling all over Nigeria and I meet with both Muslim and Christian clerics who tell me that in the Northeast and Middle Belt, they now officiate over more funerals than they do marriages and child dedications. This is heartbreaking and we must do something immediately to change the situation.” he said.

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Abubakar further admonished the Nigerian government to reconsider it stand on the release of repentant Boko Haram members, stating that it was almost impossible to de-radicalize these insurgents in a short period of time.

“Apart from funding, I advise the Federal Government to review its policy of releasing so called ‘repentant’ terrorists. To think that the government can de radicalise these individuals in so short a time is wishful thinking. Many people, myself included, think that the upsurge in terror activities coming after the release of such detainees, is not coincidental.

Finally, I urge the National Assembly to suo moto, take action to appropriate funds for our military on a fast-track basis. These are desperate times for Nigeria and desperate times call for dedication to duty of all concerned.

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I am tired of issuing condolences for unnecessary deaths. I prefer to make a difference and prevent unnecessary deaths amongst the gallant men and women of our armed forces and the civilian population they took an oath to protect.” he added.