Reps probe mass resignation of soldiers fighting Boko Haram

House of Representatives members have decried the mass resignation of soldiers deployed to fight Boko Haram.

350 soldiers who were deployed to fight Boko Haram in the North-East region of the country had applied to resign from military service, citing loss of interest as their reason for resigning.

Speaking during Tuesday’s plenary, the chief whip, Mohammed Monguno said the mass resignation is huge blow on the military’s fight against insurgency and could pose serious risks to the society especially if the resigned personnel are without jobs.

He also disapproved the chief of army staff’s assent to the soldiers’ request of being voluntarily disengaged without making effort to address their grievance which he said includes loss of morale, unimproved allowances and mass casualties in the hands of Boko Haram insurgents.

Monguno said;

“Recently, major general Olusegun Adeniyi, commander of operation Lafiya Dole, Nigeria‘s counter terrorism headquarters, was removed for exposing inferior military wares and poor equipment of troops while briefing the chief of army staff from combat zone after successfully repelling an attack from Boko haram insurgents.

“The house is concerned that not too long ago, the general officer commanding 7 division of the Nigeria army in Maimalari, major general Victor Ezegwu, escaped being lynched by rampaging soldiers for leaving them with neither food or water while fighting in the north-eastern part of the country for two days.

“This is an impending military mutiny that may imperil our democracy if not urgently addressed.”