Nigeria Needs Help in Arms, Technology to Fight Boko Haram Insurgency, Former Senate President Begs UK Members of Parliament

The seeming insurmountable war with Boko Haram has always been put on the doorstep of insufficient arms and technology, and it is on this ground that a former Nigerian Senate President, Senator Ameh Ebute, has written a letter of help to the United Kingdom (UK) parliament, soliciting for modern arms and technology to put an end to the Boko Haram problem. Senator Ameh Ebute was Senate President at the end of the third republic.

Senator Ebute’s letter was addressed to Hon. Kemi Badenoch, the Member of Parliament (MP), representing Saffron Walden constituency, in his letter, Senator Ebute commended the previous interventions of the British government to battle the terrorism scourge, but was of the opinion that Nigeria still needed UK’s help if this battle must be won. Recall that MP Olukemi Olufunto Badenoch was born in Wimbledon, London to Nigerian parents, she spent most of her childhood in Lagos, Nigeria and the US, she went back to the UK at age sixteen.

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While Senator Ebute extolled the Nigerian military, he regretted that the war against the sect was not going according to plans and expectations because the sect had very a strong financial base, according to Ebute’s letter, the efforts to crush the Boko Haram scourge was being frustrated by other deadly terrorist sects domiciled in the Middle East.

The letter read:

“I am delighted to have the privilege to write to UK Members of Parliament (MP) through you. Accept the fondest greetings from me and Nigerians.

“My motivation of writing the House of Commons through you is my conviction that our lamentations would receive a wider attention in the UK Parliament in recognition of your unique position as Vice Chairman, Conservative Party for Candidates. It is also, spurred by your crystal interest and likewise, the entire British Parliament to assist Nigeria overcome the besieging insecurity challenges in the country.

“I believe the facts on the disgusting security challenges assailing Nigeria are already known to all. But let me briefly recount that insurgencies and insurrections appear to have become intractable security problems in Nigeria.

“However, in the last four years, Nigerian Government and her Armed Forces have tirelessly fought the scourge of Boko Haram to a standstill. The Nigerian Military has been able to reclaim back her territories under the captivity of Boko Haram insurgents and freed thousands of abducted Nigerians held captive in various secret camps by the terrorists.

“Nevertheless, like I stressed earlier, the recorded victories of the Nigerian Government against Boko Haram so far have not reached the point of final extermination of these Islamic militant group.

“Rather, what we have seen in recent months is the resurgence of Boko Harm, with a resilience and sophistry of weaponry, which I believe has slowed down the pace of the final annihilation of the Boko Haram in Nigeria, despite the struggles of our competent Armies.

“I am strengthened by the recent parley in January 2019 anchored on the issue of Boko Haram in Nigeria, which you and your colleagues in the House of Commons interacted mutually. I learnt the discussion ended with a promise of the Parliament to lobby and or, prevail on appropriate authorities in the United Kingdom beginning with the UK House of Commons to support the Nigerian Government with military technology gadgets/weapons to fight this global threat to humanity.

“And this is now the time to take steps in this direction before ISWAP (Boko Haram) entrench its tentacles; completely annihilate and dislocate the civilian populations within the Lake Chad region including citizens of Cameroon, Niger, Chad and Nigerian Republics.

“I make this profound plea, believing that the strength, competence and dexterity displayed by the Nigerian military in standing out to terrorists these years show determination to overwhelm terrorists if adequately supported. So, with the empowerment of Nigerian troops with modern technology weapons of warfare, I am sure, the regrouping of terrorists under the auspices of ISWAP will be crushed instantly,”