Fresh indications have emerged that military troops deployed to fight Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East are using outdated weapons and equipment, including failing Shilka guns procured during the administration of late Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who was the President of Nigeria between 1979 and 1983.

This development, according to top military officers who spoke to Sunday PUNCH on condition of anonymity, has exposed Nigerian troops at the battlefront to attacks by the terrorists, especially ISWAP fighters, who are said to have more sophisticated weapons.

They noted that it was also responsible for the heavy casualties the country had suffered in the anti-insurgency war in recent times, noting that there were times the Shagari-era weapons failed during operations.


The top military officers explained that Shilka, an artillery gun mounted on fighting vehicles, being used by the Nigerian troops at the battlefront are outdated but that they were refurbished and deployed for the operation.

They noted that such refurbished arms could not withstand the modern ones used by the insurgents and that there were times they packed up during operations.

One of the officers said, “The Shilka guns were acquired under Shagari’s government.

We have many of them but they are outdated, so they were refurbished, even though a lot of their components are missing.

However, they were deployed in the North-East for the anti-insurgency war like that, hence they fail during battles.


“Recently, Boko Haram even stole one from the troops.

So, while we are battling with the refurbished Shilka, ISWAP fighters deploy the latest technology to attack us, and you know the President said a week ago at an ECOWAS meeting that how the terrorists deploy more sophisticated weapons is a matter of concern.”

Another officer, who is currently engaged in operations in one of the toughest operational zones in the North-East, also told Sunday PUNCH that apart from Shilka, they used to have in their inventory Tank 72, also known as T-72, which was made in Russia and manufactured in 1971 but sold out in 1972. T-72 are Soviet-era tanks.

He added, “They were procured by former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration towards the 2015 elections and they were used to capture lost territories, but unfortunately, the tanks came without spare parts.

“From time to time, we cannibalised one to fix another until they broke down and they were withdrawn from operations because there were no spare parts.

What we have now is called Vickers MBT (Vickers Main Battle Tanks).


https://punchng.com/we-need-better-arms-to-fight-boko-haram-military-commanders/

Real reason some soldiers ran away with over 500 million naira knowing fully their oga at the top are just using their lives playing ludo while they're smiling to the bank.

Capital of Nigeria should be kworupsion

You wonder if BokoHaram members are made of steel
#ConfusedNation

...i think the government is boko haram...and boko haram is the government...

...pmb said boko haram will be defeated...now the military chiefs are saying more money is needed...buratai have questions to answer...

With the millions of dollars budgeted to empower our military yearly y’all still buy outdated military wares, tanks that are supposed to be in museums!!
The FG, Defence Minister And His Cabals & Army Generals are all jokers, apology to the human race
They should bring all the concerned quarters in for serious questioning

Lol. No Jonathan to blame again so you won't hear much noise

You should ask the present administration where the $1billion aka 300 billion Naira gmbudgetted for arms went into.

Who told that man that the powers that be wants him to really fight Boko Haram? It's either he is naive or he is the tool "they that be" want to use as front to give reasons to siphon more cash in the name of purchasing weapon.
They will keep supplying you with shakabula until infinity. The people sent to fight BH are merely tools to make the fight look genuine. The people behind BH will never want it to end. Lots of money to be made.

All I can say is that we should wait to the COAS to release the funds he saved to help the country buy better weapons and import spare parts. Remember he saved from his salary and bought a house in Dubai.

Does it mean that you guys do not know what you want

Boko boys are fighting you with the same weapons seized from you .

You only need to formation and tactics and flush out the saboteurs in the military camp. Shikena

I don't understand all these phony anonymous commanders sources.

Over 80% of weapons used by the insurgents were seized from the Nigeria Army and they use it to devastating effects.

So

Na God go punish all supporters of bad governance in Nigeria because of the naira that they get in return. It shall not be well for them and their children children. Amen

But when it comes to harassing innocent civilians, you will start flexing muscles