In Response To Insecurity, Reps Push For Armed Forces Reserve-Formation

In Response To Insecurity, Reps Push For Armed Forces Reserve-Formation

The House of Representatives on Thursday, July 18, asked the federal government to activate provisions of the Armed Forces Act and put in place the Armed Forces Reserve team to assist in the fight against insecurity in the country.

The House also asked the Chief of Defence Staff and the Inspector General of Police to intervene in the recent quit notice allegedly issued to the Hausa Community in Abavo, Delta to leave the area to avoid a breakdown of law and order.

The resolution followed two separate security-related motions adopted at the plenary presided over by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.

The House asked the House Committee on Defence to liaise with the leadership of the Armed Forces to develop and implement a comprehensive plan for the training, integration, and utilization of the Armed Reserve.

It also asked the House Committee on Defense to take immediate steps to activate the establishment of the Armed Forces Reserve as provided in the Armed Forces Act and report back to the House in 30 days.

It directed the House Committee on Appropriation to make necessary budgetary allocations to cover training, equipment, welfare of Reserve members, and Infrastructure development to support the operations and logistics of the Reserve.

Moving his motion, Hon. Jesse Okey Onuakalusi said the Armed Forces Act provides for the establishment and maintenance of an Armed Forces Reserve, which shall consist of officers, warrant officers, noncommissioned officers, soldiers, ratings, and aircraft men who are transferred to it on completion of their period of service in the Armed Forces and in such other services as the President may prescribe.

He said the Act mandates the establishment and maintenance of an Armed Forces Reserve to support National Security and Defense, adding that the Reserve is critical in augmenting the regular Armed Forces in times of crisis, as the current insecurity plaguing our nation.

He explained that Army reserves are established in many countries around the world.

The reserve forces are composed of part-time and retired soldiers who can be called upon to supplement the regular armed forces in times of need.

In his motion, Hon. Umar Shehu Ajilo emphasised that the Nigerian constitution guarantees the rights of every Nigerian to acquire and own immovable properties and reside anywhere in the country.

He expressed concern over reports that the Hausa community residing in Abavo town, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, has been ordered to vacate the town within four days, with the deadline set to expire today, Thursday, July 18.

He said the Hausa community has lived in the town for over 30 years. BBC contacted a member of the community who confirmed the order and said it was because of the rise in kidnapping incidence in the area and claimed that the Hausa community was responsible. The Hausa community denied the claim as none of their members was ever caught in the crime.

He described the quit notice as a very dangerous and unconstitutional act capable of causing national crises and further deteriorating the dicey security situation in the country, as anything can happen at the expiration of the ultimatum today.