by Kolapo Olapoju

Some soldiers stationed in Maiduguri have reportedly refused to take up arms against Islamist Boko Haram militants until they get better equipment.

A soldier, who craved anonymity said that himself and no less than 40 of his colleagues would refuse orders to deploy because they were not being given enough weapons and ammunition to tackle the insurgents.

The soldier stationed in Maiduguri, Borno state, told the BBC Hausa Service that, “Soldiers are dying everywhere. The Nigerian army is not ready to fight Boko Haram. I joined the army to defend my country, but you cannot defend it without being equipped to do so.”

“Boko Haram are inside the bush, everywhere. The senior commanders are sacrificing soldiers. Even the vehicles the soldiers were expected to use were old armoured cars that were not up to the job,” he added.

The report also states that a General in the Nigerian army, who equally spoke anonymously, said he couldn’t confirm the mutiny, but said cowardice is a regular occurrence of war-time. He also added that any mutineers within the army would be punished.

Since the abduction of the Chibok girls back in April, the menace of Boko Haram has increased, as the group seem more emboldened, carrying out series of attacks and also recently attempted to assassinate a former head of state, Gen. Muhammadi Buhari.

Of all the states where its reign of terror has been felt, Borno has fared worse, after incessant attacks on villages and kidnaps of residents have been recorded in recent time.

Kolapo Olapoju