By Jeremiah Mchianan, Esq.

The Boko Haram insurgents have been terrorising Nigeria for some time since 2009, with the activities of the dreaded terrorist group being predominant in the North East Nigeria, which is made up of States like Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Taraba and Gombe states.

The Terrorism Prevention Act has prohibited all forms of terrorism, Terrorism financing and issues relating thereto in Nigeria.

It is no longer news that the insurgents recently attacked and killed over 43 farmers in a rice field in Zabarmari village of Borno State according to reports. In a bid to to put an end to this dreaded terrorist group, the Governor of Borno State, one of the states mostly affected by the activities of this group suggested that Nigeria should seek the assistance of “mercenaries” in the fight against Boko Haram.

Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary defined “Mercenary” as a person employed to fight in an armed conflict who’s not a member of the State or Military group for which they’re fighting and whose prime or sole motivation is private gain”.

It could be recalled that former President Goodluck Johnathan had earlier sought the assistance of a certain mercenary but his efforts were thwarted at the twilight of the Buhari administration.

Whereas, the best approach to global fight against Terrorism is through the assistance and help from allies with better military equipment. Nigeria has over the years been a strong ally of the West, particularly the United States of America (USA) which is undoubtedly one of the countries with the greatest and by far well-equipped Military in the World.

Nigeria is a sovereign State and her Sovereignty is guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 as amended. The primary responsibility of any Government is the protection of lives and properties of it’s citizenry. Nigeria is never an exception. Section 14 of the Nigerian Constitution has reochoed this great responsibility.

Nigeria has committed soldiers who are strong and resilient,but the era wherein Military might is dependent on abled-bodied young men and women is gone. Technology has taken the centre stage, therefore, predominantly now more than ever before, what we need to excel in the Terrorism fight is a well equipped Military with well sophisticated Military equipments. This is the era where air craft are doing the deal instead of human beings, missiles are taken the centre stage in global terrorism fight. Consequently, instead of recommending mercenaries who will still largely require funding and sophisticated military equipments to win the terrorism war, it is rather suggested as follows:

1 . The Nigerian Government to as a matter of urgency approach the United States of America with an emergency request for fighter aircraft and other Military equipments that will aid our gallant Military officers in the war against Boko Haram. Especially now that the Trump presidency is about coming to an end with a strong conviction that it will be willing to assist and leave a good name while leaving office.

2. Similar request in 1 above should also be made to other World powers especially Nigerian allies such as Germany and United Kingdom.

3. Nigerian Government should urgently dispatch a high powered delegation to the UN Nations Secretary-General requesting for assistance with Military equipments.

3. There should be stronger collaboration between Nigerian Troops, Cameroonian Troops, Niger and Chadian troops especially on intelligence gathering.

4. There is urgent need to re-introduce Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) especially in all the Northern States of Nigeria in view of the General insecurity particularly in the North.

5. The time to consider State police is now. And we urge the National Assembly to urgently begin the process of introducing State Police in view of the general insecurity occasioned by Boko Haram activities, Banditry, Kidnapping and other crimes against the Nigerian people and the Nigerian State which it is our opinion that it will be better traced and dealt with by the introduction of State Police who usually will be familiar with the terrain and thus better placed to takle criminality in their States.

In conclusion, deployment of mercenaries is counter productive and may not be the solution to the Boko Haram menace. The best approach is to urgently turn to our allies,bury our pride and genuinely lobby and acquire the much needed equipments needed in the Boko Haram fight.

Mchianan Jeremiah Ternenge, Esq.Legal Practitioner ,Abuja.mchiananjerry@gmail.com, 08137562683.

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