Nigeria has recently witnessed an embarrassing scenario with the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents who captured a part of Nigeria and thereafter declared it an Islamic caliphate. It was even more embarrassing that some Nigerian soldiers rather than put up a gallant resistance reportedly abandoned their responsibility of defending the nation and ran to Cameroon, in what military authorities ridiculously called “tactical manoeuvre”.

Let us recall that the Governor of Borno State, Kasshim Shettima, once told the world that Boko Haram fighters were more equipped and motivated than Nigerian soldiers. A senior Federal Government official criticised him for “being myopic, unpatriotic and full of mischief”. Several persons branded the governor with all sort of names. Sadly, the Federal Government ignored the message and tried to kill the messenger. Now, in debunking this information and trying to preserve the integrity of the armed forces, where has this left us?

We understand the challenges of waging war against terrorists but at the same time Nigerians expect more from the military. We expect more than mere reassurance that the military is winning the war; we expect more than mere protecting military integrity in the face of criticism. We don’t envisage a situation where the military comes out at all time to defend its face without pulling weight against the insurgents. The military has given mild excuses for its defeats each time its men are captured by the insurgents; just like the recent excuse of “tactical manoeuvre” in Gwoza. By the way, what is “tactical manoeuvre”?

In warfare, a tactical manoeuver takes place in a deliberate coordinated military (troops) movement; it is a move that requires dexterity and skill. A tactical maneuvre is made in order to gain advantage over or avoid enemies in welfare. The military should explain to Nigerians if running to Cameroun was the best way to maneuver the enemy.

The Gwoza attack leaves one to ask about the operational capacity of the military. Where are the fighter jets procured by the military over the years? Do we really have one or do we corroborate the position of Shetima that the military lacks weapons?

The video of the attack on Gwoza went viral and we saw how the insurgents went on a shooting spree. We also saw how our military men ran for their lives. We saw how their armouries were looted and their vehicles taken away out of the barracks. These operation lasted for hours and yet the insurgents came back to declare the town a republic outside Nigeria. We still need to ask; what happened to our fighter jets? Is the Nigerian military, Gwoza military? If there is a fighter jet and the military is not just stationed in Gwoza alone, then, why was there no mobilisation and air bombardment?

Every one that watched the video needed not be in the military to know that what was required at that point was communication for a back up. It was expected that signal would be given to the nearest command for mobilisation of troops and equipment into Gwoza for aerial bombardment.

At this point, we still need to ask more questions; could this be an act of sabotage? Because if this is not, I see no reason why there was no order for the reinforcement of troops into Gwoza to contain the enemies. Also, we would want to know if it was a question of lack of capacity amongst the military personnel. This would be very hard to believe because Nigerian soldiers have fought more battles in the past and it is assumed that they are very knowledgeable in combats than the insurgents.

We are aware at some point in time that some of the military personnel have complained of poor welfare; but we also know that for the past three years, the military has received more funding from the national budget. How much more do we really need to spend?

Peeping through the budget of the military, it is discovered that for the past three years the Federal Government has provided money for the acquisition of new war planes such as the B Bombers and F-16 fighter jets. Where are the fighter jets? I don’t believe these jets are kept to decorate the barracks. They were bought for war threatening operations like that of Gwoza.

A further analysis of the military budget, particularly the Nigerian Air Force, shows that the force received a total of N73.8bn in the 2014 Appropriation Act. Out of this sum, the force proposes to use only N7.2bn for capital projects while the rest will be used as recurrent expenditure and over head cost.

This type of expenditure pattern on its own is a very bad prioritisation. Yes, it is agreed that there should be enough vote for logistics and training of personnel including allowances of officers, but dedicating only 10 per cent for capital budget in the wake of insurgency shows lack of sensitivity to the present situation. This expenditure pattern was the same for both 2013 and 2012. We noticed that in 2013, a total budget of N 78.1bn was appropriated and out of this sum, only N14.2bn went for capital expenditure. In 2012, it was a total of N73.4bn and just a paltry sum of N5.9bn was dedicated for capital projects. The situation is even worse when we consider the fact that little provision for combatant and warfare equipment were made within these years.

Details of expenditure that can be sighted in the capital budget of these years show that what characterised the capital budget of the Air Force was majorly on repairs, maintenance, and purchase of aircraft spare parts. There is a sample of expenditure in this pattern, namely, repair and retrieval of five C-130h aircraft engines, propellers and refrigerators in Lagos; reactivation of five G222 aircraft and an additional G222 aircraft in Kwara.

Where are the provisions for more fighter jets, war planes, aerial viewing equipment, drones and other necessary technical equipment for the fight against the insurgents?

It is so unfortunate that the hundreds of billions of naira that have been appropriated for security in the fight against terrorism contain unnecessary priorities. Sadly, the make-up of these huge sums is for security votes which is not accounted for, and recurrent expenditure. It is even more worrisome that despite the increased allocation on recurrent expenditure, the military personnel still complain of poor welfare.

Nigeria has got to the point where sincerity and openness are the only way forward in treating national affairs. This is even more needed in the fight against the insurgents. The lives of our officers are so precious and should not be lost cheaply in the hands of the insurgents. The safety and security of Nigerians should not be jeopardised with the corruption and insensitivity of our leaders. Based on this, it is advised that the necessary equipment needed for the fight against the insurgents be procured, the personnel should be well-trained on combat and counter-terrorism. Large scale offensives like that of Gwoza should be well-prepared for; the military should never be caught off guard. Such military offensives should be approached hands on with the use of air troops which should serve as a cover for the ground troops.

The sincerity of government is needed most especially in the funding of the military. The soldiers should be well-funded and the use of these funds should also be monitored. Recruitment of persons into the military should no longer be based on connection but on merit. There is the need to avoid frivolous expenditures without useful tags, like the security votes. Finally, there should be consistent check within the military for sabotage and any of such reported cases should be accorded deserving sanction


http://www.punchng.com/opinion/where-are-our-fighter-jets/