Drama in the Senate, as Army Chief refuses to speak on #BokoHaram over press presence

by Kolapo Olapoju

On Thursday, 13 November, a drama of sorts ensued as members of the Senate Committee on Defence questioned the Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Kenneth Minimah, over the increasing spate of insurgency in the North-East.

When queried by the Senate committee about the the rising insurgency and the alleged ‘ceasefire’ arrangement, the Army Chief refused to divulge details, insisting that the reporters present had to leave before he could talk on military operational matters in the presence of journalists.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, George Sekibo replied the Army chief Minimah that it was essential for Nigerians to be aware of what was happening in the ongoing war against the Islamic terrorist sect, Boko Haram. He stated that Nigerians worried over the recent victories of the insurgents, and also becoming frustrated with the military and the government.

He said, “I believe that we are trying our best but is our best the best we can offer? What is happening? It is becoming increasingly difficult to explain to Nigerians. We want to be told what is happening. The insurgents are having a field day.”

“We are aware that they (government) are releasing your funds to you because you have not complained. We also approved $1bn for the President to purchase arms and ammunition to fight Boko Haram. We are aware that your budget is being released to you. If you have difficulties, you should tell us”.

“The spate of insurgency, the way and manner the insurgents are taking over areas, is getting worrisome. We want to know what is happening. We also want to know the issue of the reported cease fire.

We want to know whether there was actually any ceasefire. We want to know whether there was a dialogue, the stage of the dialogue, if any, because few days after the announcement of the ceasefire, the insurgents struck and have continued to strike.”

But Minimah was apparently unmoved, still insisting the the press had to leave before he could utter any words related to the development. He said, “I came to interface with the Senate Committee on Defence. Can the press leave us please? This is because operational matters are never discussed on the pages of newspapers.

A member of the committee, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, subsequently intervened by telling Minimah that the media was an important stakeholder in the fight against insurgency, saying that it was through the press that Nigerians could get to know how the security agencies were prosecuting the fight against insurgency.

Another member of the committee, Senator Abdul Ningi, also urged Minimah to reassure Nigerians on what the military was doing to win the war against insurgency, but the Army Chief refused to budge, as he maintained his stance of not speaking while the press was present.

The lawmakers had no choice but to request that journalists leave the venue of the meeting, with Sekibo promising to brief the press after the meeting.

After about two and half hours of the meeting, Sekibo emerged to address the press. He said, “You were here with us when we started at about 1pm. Now, it is about two and half hours. We have deliberated on the security issues affecting our country and the Chief of Army Staff has also responded on all the issues that were raised before him.”

According to him, Minimah said, “We had a setback in Bassa that resulted in loss of territories up to Mubi which was painful though, but we are working very hard to retake those territories. Very soon we will reclaim those territories and indeed other territories that the insurgents have taken.”

“Very soon, we will reclaim those territories and indeed other territories that the insurgents have taken. I want to continue to rekindle the confidence of Nigerians and particularly the ordinary Nigerians who have suffered the pains of this insurgency. The Nigerian Army will continue to do its best and strive to win this war and reclaim the lost territories.”

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