A member of House of Representatives representing the Ibadan North East/South East Federal constituency, Oyo Sate, Rep. Abass Adigun, popularly known as Agboworin, on Wednesday, strongly opposed the suggestion of employing foreign military mercenaries to address the issue of insecurity in the nation.
Agboworin, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Narcotic Drugs, in his contribution to the motion, stated this while contributing to an amendment motion proposed by Hon. Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno), which called for the invitation of foreign military mercenaries to assist in combating the menace.
A statement signed by His Head of Media Unit, Mayowa Okekale, quoted Agboworin as saying that it berates a nation like Nigeria, the Giant of Africa, to hire foreign military mercenaries to fight insecurity.
While adding that the federal government must work on recruiting more security personnel to tackle insecurity, he added that the expertise of retired service chiefs, to undertake such tasks internally, will go a long way.
“I want the House to know that we have a lot of brave personnel in the country. We have brains among the Air Vice-Marshals. We have brains among the Brigadier and Major Generals. We have brains among the Admirals that can handle the insecurity situation in this country. So, asking other country to send us machinery, to me as ex-military man, and to Nigeria as Giant of Africa, it is an insult.
“What I think is that the FG should bring in all the senior officers that were forced to retire, combined with massive recruitment in all our seecurity agencies including Army, Navy, Police Force in the country so that the job can be done.”
Speaking further, Agboworin noted that the federal government must consider the welfare and well-being of security personnel while berating lack of sophisticated equipment needed to confront insurgents effectively.
He expressed sadness while maintaining that security measures have been discussed repeatedly in the 9th Assembly, but no tangible action has been taken, adding that “That’s why I chose not to attend any security meeting in this Assembly.”
In his words: “Mr Speaker, when it comes to the issue of security, you know my antecedents. I served and retired from the Military in the United States before I came back to Nigeria to join politics, which has brought me here today. So, when I talk on the issue of security, I think it is better my point of view is taken seriously.
“In the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th National Assembly, we have been talking about insecurity in this country and it is very unfair to Nigerians that the legislative and Executive arms of government are yet to get proper things done. I need to also add that it is also very unfortunate and unfair to admit that our security agencies are not performing well in their duty.
“I have four points to talk about, which I believe can change the situation for the better. First, our population is over 200 million and when we look at the security agencies, they are not even up to 10 per cent. Basically, what I am saying in essence is that, we need to find a way to make sure that we increase them in terms of capacity.
“Secondly, these security personnel have families and they are human beings like us. How can we improve on their welfare and well-being? In the light of this, I moved a motion in the 9th Assembly about the welfare of our security agencies in this country.
“When I was still in the U.S Navy, I signed a document of life insurance of $400,000 and another one of $150,000, making $550,000 just in case I lost my life during active service. Do we have anything like that for our security personnel here?
“When they go out there, their chances of coming back home is not fully guaranteed. So, what happens to their family members if they don’t come back? So, we need to be considerate in this country.
“We also want them to go and tackle the evil activities of bandits and kidnappers but do they even upgrade their arms? They are still carrying AK-47 guns that were produced about 40 years ago. When you go to advanced country, you will see sophisticated weapons they use in fighting insurgency, banditry and all that.
“Another aspect is the issue of state policing. I am a Yoruba man from Ibadan and I speak my native language. Unfortunately, I don’t understand any other language in my country. Now, for example, you post me to somewhere in Sokoto or Onitsha. What if there are issues on insecurity and they are speaking in their own local dialect, which I don’t understand? So, this is why we have been agitating for State Police.
In a session presided upon by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, RT. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, other lawmakers also followed Rep. Agboworin’s argument, dropping the amendment while the motion was adopted with other prayers.
Adopting the motion, the House decided to meet with the President to find solutions to the insecurity challenges, urging Police authorities to appropriate funds to repair damaged security assets nationwide.
