TheCable

Sambo Dasuki, Nigeria’s national security adviser says the country’s military does not need support from the United Nations and the African Union in the battle against insurgency.

Dasuki said though the militant group poses a great threat to the country’s security, Nigerian troops and those of other neighbouring countries also affected by the insurgency could tackle the situation effectively.

“It’s something that we can do. It’s absolutely something we can do,” he told BBC.

“I think as it is, we are in good shape to address the issue with those partners, Niger, Chad and Cameroon.”

He referred to the soldiers who have been alleging that they were ill-equipped as “cowards” hampering the campaign against the militants.

Since the insecurity situation in the north-east degenerated to the current level, many soldiers have been court-martialled for mutiny.

The soldiers in questions were alleged to have refused to engage Boko Haram members because the militants were better armed.

Last week, an unnamed soldier granted an interview to CNN, lamenting the condition of his colleagues in the front line of the battle.

The militants have continued to wreak havoc despite several efforts to put them in check.

Though the Nigerian government declared a state of emergency in some troubled parts of the country, the desired result has not been achieved.

Even the establishment of a multinational force involving Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon has not succeeded in quelling the crisis.