- He noted that the funds that the engagement of military contractors would gulp should be used to equip the Nigerian military
The Nigerian Army has ruled out the possibility of the Federal Government engaging military contractors to bring an end to the decade-long nefarious activities of Boko Haram terrorists.
The Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Christopher Musa, argued against using military contractors in Nigeria on Thursday during an interview on Arise TV’s Morning Show.
Musa stated that the military was not contemplating hiring mercenaries in the fight against terrorism.
He noted that the funds that the engagement of military contractors would gulp should be used to equip the Nigerian military.
The defence chief said this in response to Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume’s suggestion that Nigeria should employ military contractors in the fight against terrorists.
His military contractors suggestion on Wednesday followed the slaughtering of six farmers and abduction of five others by Boko Haram terrorists in a fresh attack in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Reacting to the senator’s suggestion, Musa cited instances where military contractors involvement in addressing security crisis in other countries have failed.
He said “We appeal to Nigerians to support the Armed Forces, the challenges we are facing is not isolated. We are not where we want to be but we are heading there.
“Recently, we have military contractors in Mali and how far have they gone? Americans used military contractors in Afghanistan and they fought for 20 years, they left without finishing the war.”
He explained that the fight against terrorism is difficult because it’s not a conventional war.
“What I’m saying is that asymmetric warfare is a very difficult operation because we are dealing with non-state actors. The only way to identify them is that they are carrying arms
“Ndume has spoken and there is freedom of speech in democracy, so I understand that he’s trying to look at options but for us it’s not an option. We are doing a lot of joint training with Europeans, Americans to build capacity in other to project this war.
“The war we are facing is not the conventional warfare where you know that the enemy is there, these guys are highly mobile and once you are going after them, there informants give them information about your movement and strength.
“On the 300 killed, we have done more than that, it’s still counting. Military contractors are not the solution because the money you are going to give them why not use it to equip your own military, that would be a better option.”
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