The defence headquarters says the federal government will decide if mercenaries will be hired to assist the military in the fight against Boko Haram.
When he hosted a federal government delegation which visited
him over the killing of more than 40 farmers, Babagana Zulum, governor of
Borno, recommended that mercenaries should be hired to assist the military in
tackling insurgents.
Darius Ishaku, governor of Taraba, also expressed support
for his Borno counterpart’s position on hiring mercenaries.
At a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, John Eneche,
defence spokesman, said it was up to Nigerians and the government to contract
the private army.
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He reportedly responded to a question asked by PUNCH at the
briefing.
“Request or proposal to engage mercenaries, that is at a
very high level. The kind of armed forces and security agencies you have now is
normally determined by the people,” he was quoted to have said.
”It (engagement of mercenaries) is not in our powers. It is
a kind of force package; it is what the government wants. It is not for the
military to begin to contend.
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“No armed forces anywhere will tell the people, ‘this is how
we want to operate.’ The legislators, National Security Council, will decide on
it.”
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