Senate Condemn Killing Of Soldiers By Boko Haram, Blame George Akume

Senators Blame Killing Of Soldiers On One Another’s Inadequacy

The Senate was tense yesterday when the reported killing of 44 soldiers attached to the 157 Task Force Battalion in Melete, Borno State by Boko Haram terrorists was mentioned.

A solemn atmosphere enveloped the plenary as the lawmakers took turns to condemn the “monumental loss”.

While some sources said the figure was higher than 44; others said it was not up to that.

Military authorities are however yet to give official figures on the development.

As earlier reported by Naija News, the upper legislative body ordered its committees on Army and Defence to investigate the killings and examine the welfare and well-being of troops engaged in counter insurgency operations.

The senators also resolved to visit officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces on the counter insurgency campaign in the Northeast.

Their resolution followed a motion by Deputy Majority Leader Bala Ibn Na’Allah (APC, Kebbi South) at the instance of the Senate President.

Na’Allah decried the plight of military personnel fighting insurgency in the Northeast, stressing that one of the officers killed in the attack was his cousin.

After observing a minute’s silence in honour of the fallen soldiers, the lawmakers resolved to pay a condolence visit to the Chief of Army Staff and families of the slain soldiers.

The senators plan to conduct a “thorough” investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killings and the welfare of soldiers. The standing committee on Army was mandated to carry out the investigation.

Addressing journalists shortly after the plenary session, the vice chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ibrahim Danbaba, condemned the “lackadaisical attitude” of the committee.

According to him, the situation in the Army would have been different if the committee had lived up to its oversight responsibilities.

Danbaba blamed the chairman of the Army Committee, Senator George Akume, for the lapse, saying there was a clear case of dereliction of duties on the part of Akume.

He lamented that the committee had remained dormant since Akume assumed its headship in 2017.

Recall some soldiers were allegedly killed on Monday when suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked the 157 Task Force Battalion in Metele, Guzamak Local Government Area of Borno State.