TheCable

Citizens’ Initiative for Security Awareness (CISA), a civil society organisation, says some Nigerians are sabotaging the effort of the military in its fight against Boko Haram insurgency and banditry.

Chidi Omeje, national coordinator of CISA, who spoke on the group’s behalf on Sunday, said residents in some parts of the north-east are leaking information on troops movement and position to the enemies.

Describing such acts as unpatriotic, Omeje asked politicians to be more concerned about this and find a way to drum up support for the security operatives. 

“To this set of Nigerians, not even matters of national security or the corporate existence of the country, can be spared their negative politics or religious bigotry,” he said. 

“This unacceptable trend has gone on for far too long to the embarrassment of ordinary Nigerian citizens who truly appreciate the huge sacrifices and fighting spirit of the Nigerian security forces. 

“When the blood-thirsty Boko Haram terrorist group began its brutal violent campaign against innocent Nigerians, the Nigerian security agencies led by the armed forces gallantly rose in defence of the people. 

“Their gallantry, as we sadly note, has not been without a huge price: a number of soldiers have paid the supreme price, many others have lost their limbs or have been maimed for life, young families of military personnel have been thrown into mourning and sorrow; many more soldiers are still in harm’s way, doing all they could to defend and protect us from those who seek to destroy us. 

“Let us not distract our troops, let’s give them the support, if they have the morale, they’ll perform optimally.” 

Omeje also said the government can also support the military by recruiting more policemen to join in the fight against insecurity. 

He said the police need to be equipped and much more populated. 

“We have about 400,000 police force in a country of 200 million. I believe we should have at least 1 million policemen,” he said.