Fayemi says security challenges are beyond military

Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, on Wednesday said the security challenges in the country are beyond the Nigerian military.

Fayemi said this during his visit to Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State to condole with the government and people of Borno over an attack by the Boko Haram insurgents during which over 40 farmers were killed. ‎‎

Fayemi was accompanied by the Governor of Sokoto and the Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, and Niger State governor, Abubakar Bello.

According to him, soldiers are overwhelmed and need support to tackle the security situation affecting many parts of the country.

Fayemi said, “What happened in the last three days is by far beyond any imagination, it was a massacre and it was one that none of us could come to terms easily.

“The reality we can all say, and I personally as security scholar, the reality I can see is that our military is overwhelmed.

“Our military is no longer in a position to single-handedly tackle this menace effectively.

“It is not a criticism of our military, if one were to suggest a coalition beyond that will even include our neighbouring countries, who are probably more experienced in fighting an asymmetrical war. It will not be a loss of our pride as a country.”

Fayemi added that governors are frustrated with the level of insecurity in the country.

He said, “This is not a visit to gratify ourselves, no, it is an expression of also our own frustration.

“We can’t bring back the people we have lost in the last couple of days, but if we do not take the necessary steps the entire nation will be consumed by this insurgency.”‎

Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum , noted that there was a need to address the underlying causes of the insurgency.‎