By Olusegun Lawrence Disturbed by incessant attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in the north-eastern part of the country, the Senate on Wednesday summoned the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh and the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Kenneth Minnimah to appear before it on Thursday.
The insurgents have intensified deadly attacks in the north-east, conquering towns and villages and declaring Islamic Caliphate.
Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima had recently said the insurgents now control 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the zone.
Also, Boko Haram had attacked and captured Mubi, the second largest town in Adamawa State.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Army and Defence, Gorge Sekibo while briefing newsmen said the Service Chiefs are expected to brief the Upper Chamber on the security situation in the north-east.
He said the lawmakers are interested in knowing the challenges facing them in the region which has been under emergency rule for past one- half year.
Sekibo said,”I know as a Senate we have done whatever we need to do to support the armed forces to combat and bring insurgents to their knees.
“I also believe that virtually all the directives the Senate has passed on to the President he has also honoured them including the recent one billion dollar loan that was requested.
“I believe that in addition to the one billion dollars through the office of the national security adviser they will also be providing funds for the purchase of military equipment.
“But for us to wake up and hear that we are being overrun in some areas is embarrassing. I
“I believe that we cannot stay here while we have not heard from the service chiefs that is why we have summoned the service chiefs tomorrow by one o clock.
“We want to hear from them to know areas they are lacking and whatever the problems will be we want to advise them to properly open up because Nigerians are tired of asking the same questions. We want to ask questions different from what we have been asking.
“I believe everyone is worried especially after the last bombing in the school in Yobe state the elections are coming so fast so close in d next few weeks people are going for primaries and we are worried whether our colleagues in the north east can go for primaries where will they start from. i believe that after the meeting tomorrow some of these questions will be answered. “Between the last declaration of state of emergency till now Mr. President heeding to the voice of National Assembly has procured some equipment and one of the issues we are going to have tomorrow at the meeting is to have an inventory of equipment we have on ground.
“We also want to be sure that we have competent manpower, how did the insurgents get their equipment how did they get them through the border.”
Prompt News recalls that following escalation of violence in the north-east occasioned by Boko Haram attacks, President Goodluck Jonathan in May 2013, declared emergency rule in the three frontline states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.
