Just as many critics of the Federal Government have been saying, the Nigerian military high command has reportedly admitted that it did not have the equipment and weapon to rescue the secondary school girls abducted by gunmen in Chibok, Borno State.
According to latest reports, over two hundred girls are still in the camp of the Boko Haram sect after some of the kidnapped girls reportedly escaped from the captivity of their abductors some days back.
However, one of the Civil society group at the forefront of rallies for the release of the abducted Chibok girls has allegedly said the military high command admitted at a meeting with the coalition that it did not have the equipment and weapon to rescue the schoolgirls.
Jibrim Ibrahim, the head, Mobilisation Committee of the ‘bring back our girls’ group, said some military chiefs told representatives of the movement at a meeting in Abuja on Tuesday that the military spent most of its budget on “expendables” such as fuelling operational vehicles, personnel allowances and other things.
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While briefing members of the group on Wednesday on the outcome of their meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, Ibrahim explained that the military command also said it was hindered by lack of intelligence as well as the strained relationship between the Federal Government and Borno State Government.
“During our meeting with about eight Generals at the Defence headquarters, they told us that the military did not engage in regular purchase of equipment and that they lacked the necessary assets to undertake the rescue of the abducted girls.
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“They are also affected by the strained relationship between the Federal Government and Borno State Government because they are not getting any information and intelligence-gathering, which is a challenge.”
It was gathered from Ibrahim that the group representatives told the military chiefs that they need to work together with the Borno State Government to ensure that the abducted girls are rescued without delay.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that a team of experts from the USA may arrive in Abuja on Thursday to start active assistance with the abducted girls rescue operation.
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