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Seeks Army Barracks’ relocation from metropolis
BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – Governor Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir of Bauchi State says it will be most embarrassing and shameful if ongoing fight against the dreaded Boko Haram insurgency in the North East region does not end soonest.
He also said it is unfortunate that despite the heavy deployment of fighting equipment by the Armed forces, the war against the terrorists is still taking too long to be won.
Speaking when the House of Representatives Committee on Army visited him at Government House, Bauchi, Governor Mohammed said; “The House of Representatives is led by one of the most competent legislators, that is Hon Femi Gbajabiamila.
“That is why most of the members of the Committee are from the North-East, I know why he did that. Please, make us safe. If is not dealt with, it is a shame because it is taking too long,”.
Noting that sophistication of criminals, like bandits and cattle rustlers, has forced the Army to partake in the duties of Police, the governor said; “The Army is always yearning for equipment and manpower and they are overstretched, the ratio of citizens to Nigeria Army is very large” .
According to him; “This cattle rustling, kidnapping which is the responsibility of Police has become that of the Army, because the criminals are armed with sophisticated weapons like AK47 –it has become the business of the Army.
“The hands of Nigerian Army are full, we need to provide them with maximum facilities for improved services.”
Governor Bala also said before Bauchi State was created, the Army has been around even during the colonial days with large portion of land measuring about 27 kilometers occupied by the Military.
He said with the Barrack already swallowed by the town, “We have written to Mr President and the House of Reps also have responsibility in this. We are not confrontational, we appreciate and we are ready to work with them” .
“This place has become a town and there are always incessant clash between civilians and Army because they must expand. We want the President to do this for us, we want the Barrack to be relocated to outskirts of the town”, he pleaded.
Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of the Committee, AbdulRasak Namdas said the Army have their hands full embarking on several operations in almost 24 states of the federation to ensure peace and stability in the country
Namdas said the Committee was in Bauchi as part of its oversight function to Army formations across the country in order to appropriate the required funds for their 2021 budget.
The Committee Chairman, who stressed the need for all hands to be on deck in tackling the numerous challenges facing the Army, appreciated the Governor for supporting the Army in the state.
“Your Excellency, let me start by saying we the members of the National Assembly see you as our own. As you are aware, we are here to do our oversight function in Army formations in Bauchi and after going back to the assembly, we will see how we can prioritize appropriation in respect to the Nigerian Army”, Namdas said
The lawmaker said it is on record that “the Nigerian Army in Bauchi are very very happy with you because of your support to them and we as a committee, we want you to continue with this support because any state that is ruled by a former Senator the different is very clear.”
