By Olukayode Idowu
Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has warned presidential candidates against playing politics with employment into the nation’s military and security services, insisting that Nigeria cannot afford to play for over a million new entrants into the security architecture.
KACRAN which argued that the action would rather compound the security problem of the country rather than solve it, called on presidential candidates to avoid any action that will worsen insecurity in the country.
KACRAN, in a press statement by its National President, Hon. Khalil Bello on Sunday said sequel to the persistent reiteration by the presidential candidates on their plan to employ hundred thousands or one million security personnel if elected, it has become imperative to warn on the danger of doing this.
The statement read: “Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) wish to strongly state that in its own view, employment of hundred thousands or one million personnel into the Nigerian army is not and will never be the solution to the nation’s security problem; it would rather exacerbate the security problem than solving it.”
The association did not deny the fact that there is need to increase the number of security personnel in Nigeria, but argued that “the number of security personnel desired in the country as of now, considering the country’s economic situation, the country will not be able to employ and maintain them;” insisting that “it is not that number that matters but may be around 50,000 to 70,000 only that can be adequately trained and be issued with modern and sophisticated weapons commensurate to the current realities.
“Our major concern is if the government employ hundred thousands or one million personnel into the military, they will not be adequately trained or given enough superior weapons.
“And where are we going to get money to pay their salaries, especially now that government often resorts to borrowing money to pay salary?
“It should be noted that if they are not paid sufficiently and on time or fully God forbid, it means we have failed to pay them at all, so what do you think would happen to our current fragile security system?
“Why should one employ and arm more than one million army when we are not sure of paying their monthly salaries without having to borrow more money which is not even a guarantee?
“The burning questions to ask here is if security and safety of lives and properties is eventually fully restored, is the government still going to retain them as military personnel or retrench them or give them another job which is not available or have a plan to create?”
Bello asked: “Why is the government eager and interested to be among the countries which have millions of security personnel in the world since we are not in a war situation?” He said: “It should not be forgotten that even our current military personnel on many occasions have complained bitterly for not being catered for, or supplied with enough sophisticated weapons to fight their enemies,” warning that: “It should not be forgotten that if everyone knows how to operate weapons and easily have access to it there is tendency that they can easily be tempted to become bandits if they are left with hunger or bastardize by our next governments.”