We’re Winning The War Against Terrorism But The War Is Still On- Tajudeen

Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Army, Tajudeen Adeyemi Adefisoye, who represents Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency of Ondo State, has come out to talk about national problems, including insecurity in Nigeria and Amotekun.

Tajudeen believes Nigeria’s borders that is massively unmanned is causing the several terrorism issues we face in this country.

According to him, he is not saying we are not winning the war against terrorism but it is very obvious that the war is far from over.

He added that anybody that is against the launching of Amotekun has dealings with criminals.

On war against terrorism, “My position as the deputy chairman House Committee on Army has afforded me the opportunity of undertaking on-the-spot assessment of the insurgency war. I have seen that the war is truly complicated and not as easy as we think due to certain factors. For instance, the nation’s borders that are largely unmanned is contributing its toll to the lingering terrorism war. This is not to say that we are not winning the war but the truth is that the war is far from being over.

I have been to the border of Sambisa Forest in the cause of my oversight duties and I can confirm that the war situation is not as bad as it was some six years ago. I can also confirm that our military is making progress in the war because these insurgents are no longer in control of any part of Nigeria unlike what was obtainable six years ago.”

“Although, I am not oblivious of the fact that members of Boko Haram still launch occasional attacks on soft targets thereby wreaking regrettable havocs, it is encouraging that men of Nigerian military have also changed tactics by taking the war to the hideouts of these terrorists. Before now, what they do is to wait in their operational bases and repel these terrorists whenever they come out of hiding to launch an attack. If the current onslaught on the terrorists by men and officers of Nigerian military can be sustained, I am upbeat that the war will be convincingly won sooner than later.”

On Amotekun, “Amotekun is without doubt a child of necessity and anyone that is against its establishment is likely to have deals with criminal elements. The idea of Amotekun is novel and good. It is a welcome initiative that enjoys the support of virtually all the people that are resident in the South-western part of Nigeria. I must also commend the resolute determination of all the six South West governors, which led to the birth of Amotekun. And of course, all the six Houses of Assembly speakers in the region and their lawmakers are also deserving of commendation on the establishment of Amotekun.

It is now expected that the spate of crime, particularly kidnapping and robbery in the South-West will begin to get reduced with the establishment of Amotekun. However, my fears for Amotekun is that fellow politicians will not turn the corps into an instrument to harass, intimidate and possibly set up their political opponents. Another fear is in the area of funding. It is important that the welfare of the operatives of any security outfit that bear arms must be given thoughtful consideration. We cannot choose to pay members of Amotekun pittance and expect them not to misbehave and easily get compromised.”