By Danlami Nmodu
The Nigerian military has been warned against seeking to take advantage of the ongoing security challenges occasioned by Boko Haram insurgency. Colonel Tony Nyiam issued this warning today at a symposium on the National Confab And The 2015 General Election in Abuja.
Given the Boko Haram ,the military must not “jump in”,if you “jump in”,you will not have a united army,Nyiam warned. According to him ,what will follow will be instability.
He lamented the fact that the military is facing problems such as hostile media ,hostile politicians and corruption.But Nyiam noted that it was the faulty recruitment that has given rise to soldiers running from battle fronts as Nigerians are witnessing now.
Nyiam also warned against the misconception of Boko Haram.He said the sect,contrary to widely held views ,is not a rag “tag army”.He believes there is an international dimension to the insurgency as the influence of Alqaeda has spread to West Africa.
He drew a parallel between the crisis in Mali and the unfolding insurgency in Nigeria.Nyiam said it will be a strategic blunder to think holding elections only will solve the fundamental problems bedeviling Nigeria.
Nyiam expressed support for the call for state and local government police.Specifically,he called for intelligence -driven policing for Nigeria.
Other speakers include Prof Chinweizu who was represented by Yinka Odunmakin ;Barrister Mike Ozekhome,Ibiba Don-Pedro and Comrade Musa Aliyu.Chinweizu described General Buhari as a caliphate candidate and he urged Nigerians to reject him .
Some of the prominent people at the symposium include former INEC Chairman Prof Maurice Iwu,Mr Femi Okunrunmu,Maureen Chigbo, publisher of Realnews online magazine among others.As at the time of filing this report Maureen, was getting set along with others to present her paper at the symposium during the afternoon session.
