Updated January 29, 2020

Members of the House of Representatives have sent a strong message to the service chiefs asking them to resign their positions for failing to rise to the security challenges in the country.

During the house plenary on Wednesday, 29 January, the lawmakers resolved having debated issues bordering on the current state of insecurity in the nation.

House of Representatives member, Abubakar Fulata addressed the house saying the service chiefs had outlived their usefulness. He called on the service chiefs to resign as it had become obvious that the President, Muhamadu Buhari will not relieve them of their duties.

According to the lawmaker, the fight against insurgency cannot be won if the government continues down the same path; the current security policies are not yielding any results and the lives and properties of citizens cannot be protected if the government continues to repeat the same things.

He also stressed the need for the government to redeploy soldiers serving on different fronts in the Northern part of the country as some have stayed too long in the war fronts and were exhausted.

The Chairman of the House committee on defence, Jimi Benson also expressed discontent on how long it’s taking the Nigerian Army, the Police and other security agencies to defeat the insurgents.

The House Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila during the proceedings asked the lawmakers to decide whether the service chiefs should be asked to resign and leave their offices to which a majority affirmed and the resolution was passed.

Recall that some Senators had also called for the removal of the service chiefs with the Senate minority leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe asking the President to resign as his government is no longer able to ensure the safety of Nigerians.

Senators Musa Sani, Betty Apiafi, Solomon Adeola, among others asked the President to declare a national security emergency, sack the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, and the service chiefs; Chief of Defence Staff,

General Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok Ekwe Ibas and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

Vladimir Chimaobi reporting, Obinwannem News