Lawmakers Disagree As Ndume Seeks Deployment Of US Troops To Nigeria

Two members of the House of Representatives have expressed divergent views on Senator Ali Ndume’s call for the deployment of United States troops to Nigeria amid worsening insecurity in the North-East.

 Ndume had, on Friday, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, 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,” Ndume said.

“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 added.

Reacting, Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, in an interview with Punch, stressed that the debate should centre on the role and capabilities of US troops rather than their number.

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.

The lawmaker questioned critics of foreign support.

“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,” Benson stated.

However, Chairman of the House Committee on Air Force, Alhassan Rurum, disagreed, arguing that the Nigerian Armed Forces could defeat terrorism independently if adequately funded and equipped.

“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.