Insecurity: Fani-Kayode Replies DHQ

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has insisted on his criticism of the manner the military was handling insecurity challenge in the country.

In a statement on Sunday, Fani-Kayode said he could not be intimidated by the military high command from saying the truth about the worsening security situation in the country.

He said the military cannot impose a culture of silence on Nigerians when it was evident that the leadership of the military has performed woefully in addressing insecurity.

Fani-Kayode, who said he was reacting to a recent press statement by the Defence Headquarters, insisted the the leadership of the military has performed below standard and needed to be told the truth.

He said: “I read the response from the Defence Headquarters of Nigeria (dated 9. 7. 2022) to my video about the insecurity in the country and the attack on Kuje prison and I was utterly amused.

“Given the gravity and seriousness of the deteriorating security situation in our country, I did not know whether to laugh or cry when I read through it.

“I would advise strongly that the military High Command and Defence Headquarters spends it’s time facing up to and fighting the terrorists that have turned our nation into a functional killing field and horrendous bloodbath and abattoir over the last few years and attempt to carry out their constitutional role of protecting us from enemies within and without rather than trying to engage me in a press war or cow me into silence,” he said.

Fani-Kayode added that if the military commanders know his antecedents as they claim, they will appreciate the fact that attempting to threaten or intimidate him into not pointing out and exposing their abysmal failures can never work.

“For the record I have nothing but respect and admiration for the ordinary rank and file and junior and middle rank officers of our Armed Forces, who have sacrificed so much, including their lives, and who continue to do so even without the necessary backing and support that they need and deserve from the present Military High Command.

“Many of them have fought hard and died on the front line of battle in the most gallant way despite the difficult circumstances they have found themselves in and the uninspiring and poor logistical and moral support they have been offered by their senior colleagues.

“Worse still thousands of our civilians have been kidnapped, butchered and subjected to the most horrendous acts of evil and violence by the numerous terrorist organisations that have invaded and plagued our land.

“All these, yet we are supposed to sit by idly and clap for our military field and operational commanders when things are clearly going wrong

“Call it ‘rabble rousing’ if you like (as they did in their press statement) but the overwhelming majority of Nigerians are appalled and disgusted with the degree to which our security situation has degenerated and are demanding that the Military High Command either goes or does far better.

“Their glaring and embarrassing failures are as repugnant to them as it is to me,” he said.

Fani-Kayode noted that Nigerians are equally utterly disgusted at the disdain and contempt with which the military carry out their duties and their utter insensitivity to the plight of their own soldiers and the concerns of the people.