Former Senate Chief Whip and Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider hiring military contractors to complement the Nigerian Army in combating insurgents in the North East.
The former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army made this suggestion following fresh attacks by Boko Haram on Monday in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. These attacks resulted in the killing of six farmers and the abduction of five others, including women.
According to media reports, the commander of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) in the area, Jubril Dada Zarana, was also killed by the terrorists. However, no military personnel were reported dead.
Checks revealed that these fresh attacks came barely weeks after the same terrorists killed many civilians in a bomb blast, which left several others injured.
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While applauding the courage and determination of the Civilian JTF, Senator Ndume stated that they are ill-equipped to undertake the Herculean task of eliminating the insurgents.
The lawmaker, who lamented that farmers are being forced to abandon their farms amid a looming food shortage, emphasized that the idea of hiring military contractors is not unconventional, noting that it has become a global practice.
He said: “Governments across the world hire military contractors for specific engagements. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could consider this as a short-term solution. These contractors would work with our military and the Civilian JTF, who are familiar with the terrain.
“These contractors will bring their own equipment and military hardware. In a short time, they could eliminate the Boko Haram terrorists. They could also be deployed to deal with bandits operating in the North West.
“Over time, the Federal Government can recruit more youths into the military, raising the numbers to at least one million. But in the interim, I believe the President should consider this option of hiring military contractors,” Ndume, who is currently in Benin Republic for an ECOWAS Parliament engagement, stated during a telephone conversation.
