The CDS, the first in rank of the service chiefs in the country, made this known while delivering a lecture on “security, defence and development in Nigeria” on Friday in Lagos.
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has said that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor’s admittance that there are about 137 unmanned borders in the north that are infiltrated by terrorists from the Sahel to commit mayhem in Nigeria is unmistakably indicting.
Irabor had recently said there are 137 borders in the North unprotected out of the 261 approved borders, admitting that the porous borders are giving the military sleepless nights.
The CDS, the first in rank of the service chiefs in the country, made this known while delivering a lecture on “security, defence and development in Nigeria” on Friday in Lagos.
However, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement on Monday advised the CDS to brace up to the security challenges confronting the nation and proffer solutions to the unmanned borders used as access points by terrorists from Niger Republic and Chad to launch attacks in Nigeria or resign if he is bereft of ideas to address the situation.
“What has happened to the deployment of information technology such as drones to checkmate infiltration of bad elements bringing in assorted weapons into Nigeria through the Northern axis?” HURIWA queried.
The statement reads in part; “Nigerians are perplexed at the self-indicting revelation by the CDS who came into office on January 26, 2021. If the General knows he can’t protect Nigerians according to the oath of office that he swore, he has failed Nigerians and should resign for a competent person to crush bloodthirsty terrorists and bandits overrunning the country with unfathomable killings and kidnap-for-ransom boom.
“Nigerians are being killed daily in their numbers and are tired of excuses given by CDS and other service chiefs. Nigerians want results not excuses. The CDS should deploy drones and unmanned aerial vehicles to monitor the vast borders said to be porous and volatile.
“More men should be recruited to man these borders to stop or prevent infiltration by terrorists in Chad and Niger Republic where the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has shown obvious sympathy.
“By the way why should Nigeria as a Sovereignty approve more border points than the nation can protect? Is the government aware that border security is what makes the Country Sovereign?”