Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Mohammed Ali Ndume, yesterday said over 847 soldiers have so far been killed by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State alone since 2013. Ndume, who addressed Senate correspondents in Abuja, also dismissed claims of the existence of mass graves where soldiers killed by Boko Haram insurgents were buried.
He said during the visit of his committee to theatre commands in Borno State, it was discovered that soldiers were under-equipped to confront the insurgents. He also decried the inadequate number of soldiers confronting insurgents. He called on the government to recruit more men into the service to aid the fight.
He equally expressed disbelief over the poor budgetary allocation earmarked for defence. He said it’s too poor for a country fighting a war. Ndume said:
“My committee returned from Borno State on an oversight. Our visit has made a lot of difference. When we went there, we decided to visit the theatre commands and also cemeteries. From what we saw, the number being bandied around is not true.
“From what we saw, about 847 soldiers have so far been killed by the insurgents in Borno alone. The rumour about the existence of mass graves is not true. There are no mass graves anywhere. I can confirm that. “I have always said it and I will say it again. Boko Haram has been defeated, but it is yet to be defeated. I can tell you this. They still operate from three black pots. They lay ambush from there and return.
“If we don’t equip our soldiers properly, nothing will change. You can’t budget less than one per cent of the total budget for defence and expect to win this war. It is not possible at all.”
Ndume confirmed allegations that some non-governmental organisations operating in the North East were aiding Boko Haram. He said his committee would investigate and make their findings known to Nigerians.
