The Service Chiefs on Tuesday in Abuja appeared before the House of Representatives at plenary on a sectoral debate for MDAs, recounting activities aimed at combating the surging insecurity challenges in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that those present included the Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa; the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja; and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogala.
Others were the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, and the Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun.
In his submission, the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Gen. Chris Musa, however, blamed the judiciary for releasing arrested Boko Haram suspects after being arrested by the military.
“I have been in the Northeast; there were a lot of Boko Haram elements that have been captured. We have kept them for five/six years. We the armed forces can arrest but cannot prosecute.
“Some of them have been found wanting, but no prosecution.
“We are keeping them for this lengthy period, everyone is accusing the Armed forces in keeping them against their human rights, but we cannot prosecute.
“Another aspect of the judiciary is that you use all your efforts to make an arrest, you hand them over, and before you enter your vehicle, the man has been released on bail.
“Now you have risked yourself in doing that; by the time he is released, he goes to tell the people the person that arrested him. Now your family members or you are at risk,” Musa disclosed.
He said it was getting to a state where the security forces would not want to make any effort.
”We have the issue in the South-South, the last ship that was arrested, was arrested 10 years ago; the ship went and changed its name, changed its colour and came back again.
”By the time they handed over the ship and before you know it, it is released,” according to him, stressing that this is an area that must be looked into.
“We must have a special court to look into it. That is why we arrest and destroy them because the longer we keep them, it becomes a problem,” said the CDS.
Musa said they often come under pressure to release them.
He said that at the moment, about 140,000 terrorists have surrendered and are awaiting disarmament, assuring that there is no single territory currently being occupied by Boko Haram insurgents. (NAN)
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