The recent upsurge in terrorist attacks on troops’ locations has been attributed to a combination of factors, including inadequate modern weaponry, as well as the absence of a firm political will to deploy the absolute force of the State against its enemies.
Some Military and security sources, who spoke in confidence with Saturday Telegraph on the precarious security situation in parts of the country, especially the North East theatre of operation, appealed to the authorities to invest heavily in the procurement of sophisticated modern equipment.
The highly-placed sources also alleged a lapse in the intelligence gathering mechanisms, leading to the violent attacks on troops’ and some formations.
It would be recalled that roops of the 29 Task Force Brigade in Operation HADIN KAI came under a coordinated terrorist attack on their location at the Brigade Headquarters in Benisheikh, Borno State, on Thursday.
An earlier statement by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ( in Abuja, had confirmed the killing of scores of the terrorists, while regretting the loss of “a few brave and gallant soldiers” during the encounter.
One of the informed sources, attested to the gallantry, bravery and combat readiness of troops prosecuting the ongoing counter- terrorism and counterinsurgency war.
He, however, alleged that “the inadequacy of modern equipment is impacting our troops’ capacity in a way that makes undiscerning members of the public to think otherwise. “Take this to the bank: we have an unrivalled Armed Forces.
In the sub-region, even as we rank among the five strongest in the continent”. Speaking in similar vein, another source stated thus: “Let me tell you this: the day the political authorities issue a written order to the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), backed with the required sophisticated equipment needed to fight the asymmetrical warfare we are confront- ed with, we the nation will sing the much-anticipated victory song.
“It is not enough to give verbal order to the Military High Command. If anything, such directives must be documented, alongside what and why are being injected, to turn things around”.
Asked to list some of the military hardware needed to attain total victory over adversaries, another senior officer revealed: “Give us additional combat drones for improved ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance), and we will deny the terrorists freedom of action.
“There is also the urgency in procuring and inducting what we call M-RAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected), functional armoured tanks, vehicles, and other mod.
