Two members of the House of Representatives have expressed differing views on Senator Ali Ndume’s recent call for the deployment of United States troops to Nigeria amid worsening insecurity in the North-East.
Speaking on Friday as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ndume had endorsed the deployment of US soldiers to Borno State to assist in combating insurgency and banditry.
“The fact that the Americans are now helping us fight insurgency is a welcome development. We have been looking for this support for a long time and have made many efforts to get it, but have failed.
“Now that we have this window of opportunity, we must utilise it. I have complained many times that our major setback in this fight is a lack of certain resources; now, America has agreed to provide those resources free of charge,” he said.
Speaking, the Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, emphasised the importance of understanding the role of the 200 U.S. troops currently in Nigeria.
“The issue is not additional or fewer numbers, but what role and capabilities they are bringing to support the Armed Forces of Nigeria. At present, we are focused on training and technology enablers that would enhance our capacities to defeat the adversary,” he said.
He added, “Would those opposed to such efforts prefer the nation continue to haemorrhage from insecurity, terrorism, banditry, and ceaseless kidnapping?
“Our position would therefore be that if there is a needed capacity gap to fill, then by all means, let it be provided. If not, then no need for more.”
Taking a different stance, Kano lawmaker and House Committee Chairman on Air Force, Alhassan Rurum, said a well-equipped and properly funded Nigerian Armed Forces could defeat terrorism independently.
“I’m not in support of the American Army deployment to Nigeria. Our Armed Forces are capable of handling our security challenges. We only need to properly fund and provide modern equipment for them,” he said.
The PUNCH