Insecurity: NLC Asks Jonathan To Probe Security Agencies

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►NIGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday, called on President Goodluck Jonathan to carry out full investigations into the activities of security operatives including military personnel in the North eastern part of the country, decrying the worsening security situation in the region despite huge human and financial resources committed to fight the insurgency.

In a statement by its President, Abdulwaheed Omar, NLC equally implored the National Assembly to investigate how the monetary allocations to the military in recent times were being spent.

The statement read: “We are disturbed that despite huge resource allocations to security, it remains a serious challenge in Nigeria with the recent ambush and assassination of the Emir of Gwoza, Idrisa Timta who was in company of two other emirs on their way to Gombe for the funeral rites of their late colleague, the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Usman Shehu Abubakar who died earlier at a London hospital.

“It is worrisome that these attacks are increasing even as the Minister of Finance recently announced that N130 billion had been spent on security, especially on the military that have been saddled with the responsibility of confronting the prevailing armed insurgency in the North East led by the Boko Haram elements.

“The ease and precision with which these attacks are carried out, despite numerous security check points and the number of security personnel deployed in the zone is worrisome and unjustifiable.

“If high profile traditional rulers could be attacked so casually just as villages and towns are being razed even in broad daylight, what would be the fate of ordinary citizens? For us, we believe the authorities need to demonstrate a high level of  commitment to safety of lives and property in the country generally but especially in the North East, by carrying out deep investigations into the activities of security operatives including military personnel while we reiterate our consistent call for proper equipping and morale-boosting measures of our personnel.

“It is already a national embarrassment that the school children who were abducted from the Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State more than six weeks ago are yet to be located and rescued even as multinational interests in the rescue operations increases. That these children are yet to be rescued and delivered unharmed to their parents questions the commitment and credibility of those saddled with the search and rescue operation.

“We are confident that our security agencies, including the military can effectively rout out the insurgents if well equipped and motivated. After all, these same personnel not only rendered a good account of themselves in foreign operations, they played a decisive role in ending conflicts in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Mali.”