Ex-Military Officers Reject Borno Gov’s Call For Mercenaries To Defeat Boko Haram

Two retired military officers have dismissed calls by the Governor of Borno, Babagana Zulum, that the federal government should hire foreign mercenaries in order to defeat Boko Haram.

Following the massacre of over 40 rice farmers in Zabarmari village, Borno State, on November 28, Governor Zulum had recommended the recruitment of foreign mercenaries by the federal government to bring insurgency to an end.

He said the Goodluck Jonathan administration utilised foreign mercenaries from South Africa against Boko Haram in the build-up to the 2015 general elections and recorded successes.

But Major Maxwell Alexander (rtd), a former special force for Marine who spoke with THE WHISTLER on Tuesday, said the Nigeria Army has the capacity and training in asymentric warfare, counter-terrorism and other specialized disciplines, stressing that the call for mercenaries to end insurgency was unnecessary.

He said: “The only thing the army need is improvement in technology that will enhance intelligence, such as sophisticated military drums and hardware. The army is also over-stretched in terms of mounting of road block which is not their primary role but that of the police”.

Major Alexander, who now works as a security expert, added that “rather than hiring mercenaries, the strength of the military should be increased by introducing commando brigade that will carry airborne and airmobile operations.”

He explained that the Joint Task Force (JTF) was an adhoc arrangement, and an anomaly because both operations are totally different.

Another retired officer and security expert, Major A. Asula, said hiring of mercenaries for warfare was not in tandem with the military ethical standard.

 “He is talking as a political leader but for us who are the professionals, we know the limitations. There are limitations to such arrangements, because it is one thing to have an end to a problem but the means to that end is another issue, “he said.

He added that the Nigeria military is capable of putting an end to insurgency in the country. “Bringing mercenaries comes with cost implications as well as amounting to a mortgage of the sovereignty of the country. It is on record that the Nigeria military has been performing very well, therefore what they need right know is to give them the neccessary support,” he said.