Ahmed Jaha, a member of the house of representatives, says Boko Haram insurgents are using drones in attacking residents in Borno state.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker representing Damboa/Gwoza/Chibok federal constituency in Borno, spoke on Tuesday while contributing to a motion sponsored by Ahmad Satomi on the fire incident at the armoury at Giwa barracks and “escalating” attacks on military formations in Borno and Yobe states.
Jaha said the weapons used by the terrorists are more sophisticated than that of the Nigerian military.
“I was in my constituency on Saturday to sympathise and condole with the people that lost their families s as a result of the sporadic, uninterrupted attacks in my constituency,” he said.
“In part of my constituency, 10 peasant farmers scavenging for firewood were slaughtered by Boko Haram members and five are still at large while three are critically ill at the hospital.
“In Chibok, 14 peasant farmers were attacked in their community.
“I lost so many constituents because Boko Haram is using armed drones. Let it be on record.
“They are using armed drones which the Nigerian Army is not using. In other words, they are more sophisticated and advanced than the Nigerian Army.”
The lawmaker said Boko Haram is “fast” gaining ground in Borno worse than how it was in the past.
“Boko Haram, ISWAP or whatever name you call it, they are coming back,” he said.
“Let us do something serious in order not to return to the days when 22 out of 27 local governments of Borno were occupied by Boko Haram.”
Jaha said the army does not have enough personnel and equipment to fight the insurgents.
He said the government must not be complacent in fighting terrorism after budgeting trillion of naira for defence purposes.
“Between 2016 and 2019, the Nigerian government spent over N19 trillion on security. I have the record. So, we shouldn’t be complacent,” he said.
Lawmakers took turns to speak on the insurgent attacks in the country.
Yusuf Gagdi from Plateau said over 40 military tanks belonging to the army have been carted away by the insurgents during attacks on military formations.
He said President Bola Tinubu must hold Nigerian military strategic commandants and other heads of security agencies accountable for negligence of their responsibilities.
“How can we guarantee the safety of the Nigerian people in the circumstances that the platforms that were meant to protect the people have been taken away by the enemies of the people? he asked.
“Nigerians are being killed daily. From the north to south to east. The government must do the needful. Everyday resolution that we pass is not enough.
“In as much we appreciate the security agencies for putting their lives on the front line to protect Nigerians, we must hold somebody accountable that taxpayers’ money used to buy guns and other platforms for the military would be compromised and donated free to the enemies of this country is unacceptable.”
Gagdi said until the parliament speaks for Nigerians by holding the government to account, lawmakers would not escape the revolt of the people.
Zainab Gimba representing Bama/Ngala/Kala Balge in Borno also narrated several insurgent attacks in her constituency (The Cable)
