What Nigerian Army Needs To Defeat Boko Haram, Others – COAS Attahiru

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru has identified what the Nigerian Army needs to fully overcome and defeat all forms of insurgency and terrorist activities in the country.

Attahiru on Wednesday told the Senate Committee on Army, led by its Chairman, Sen. Ali Ndume that to defeat the insurgency, the Army apart from adequate funding, “requires equipment, weapons, armour fighting vehicles, platforms and various combat enablers.”

The COAS said this when he hosted the Senators who were on an oversight visit to the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

He appreciated the opportunity to rub minds with the lawmakers on ways to tackle insecurity in Nigeria and told the Senators he would be looking out for their support.

Attahiru also promised the continued commitment of the troops to their constitutional role of protecting the territorial integrity of the country and eliminate all threats.

“To curb and finally defeat these threats, the Nigerian army requires equipment, weapons, armour fighting vehicles, platforms and various combat enablers.

“I urge you to as a matter of urgency, consider these critical needs as you legislate and appropriate funds.

“I will be counting on your support, so that we can efficiently perform our constitutional roles and defeat all our threats,” he said.

In his remarks, Senator Ndume promised that the legislators will provide all necessary support within their means to the military to ensure the troops are able to discharge their responsibilities.

He added that part of the reasons for their visit is to further understand challenges facing the Army and how to address them.

Ndume noted that the requests for equipment, weapons and personnel all translate into money.

“That is why we are calling on the government to give the Nigerian army the necessary support and tools to execute the mandate that is highly expected.

“Fortunately, we understand that the supplementary budget will be laid before the national assembly to take care of some of the loopholes and lapses that we saw in the 2021 budget.

“And, knowing the new security challenges that we are facing in various regions we are pledging that the national assembly will give all the necessary support to the Nigerian army.

“Especially, when it comes to the issue of budget or supplementary budget that is coming before us,’’ he said according to NAN.

Meanwhile, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has attacked Nigeria’s Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, over comments praising terrorist groups.

In a post on his Twitter handle, the pro-Biafra activist stated that a terrorist sympathizer cannot repent.