FG Reforms Defence Sector To Enhance Military Fighting Power

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The Minister of Defence, retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi, has
assured that the planned reform of the nation’s armed forces would
enhance their operational efficiency and fighting power.

Magashi stated this at the submission of the report by the
committee set up to facilitate the reform of the Ministry of
Defence and Armed Forces of Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said the 21-man committee was set up in February, to make
far-reaching recommendations that would address the identified
factors that had impeded efficiency in the nation’s defence
system.

He said that most of impeding factors were mainly structural
while others bordered on lack of synergy among the institutions and
services.

According to him, it is in realisation of these challenges and
in line with Mr President’s intent that this ministry undertook the
novel project.

He said that the project aimed at repositioning the armed forces
for improved performances in the discharge of our constitutional
mandates.

“I am therefore pleased to hear that the Committee made
far-reaching and innovative recommendations particularly on the
issues on integrated logistics support to minimise wastages in the
procurement process.

“It is also gladdening that the Committee made a suggestion
bordering on issues of command and control as it concerns the
leadership role of the Chief of Defence Staff.

“I am equally delighted on the proposal that the Federal
Government should convoke a comprehensive security sector reform to
address the deficiencies inherent in the Nigeria Police and other
para-military agencies,” he said.

Magashi said that a well reformed Police Force and other
para-military agencies would be better positioned to lead internal
security operations in the country.

He expressed the hope that the recommendations would further
enhance the fighting power of the military and boost the morale of
troops to comprehensive put an end to all forms of insecurity in
the land.

The minister assured that the ministry would carefully look at
the recommendations with a view to implementing them for the
betterment of all Nigerians.

He added that the ministry would display the needed moral
courage to implement the recommendations contained in the
report.

He also commended the committee for their dedication to the task
of ensuring the commencement of reforms in the defence sector.

The Chairman of the Committee, retired AVM Mohammed Umaru, said
the current security challenges were occasioned by the
proliferation of small arms and light weapons as well as violent
extremism.

Umaru said that the prevailing situation had drawn the armed
forces into internal security operations and taken lead instead of
the police.

According to him, if the dire situation of the police and
policing is not addressed, the AFN will remain standing on our
streets for a long time which is not good for the image of the
profession of arms.

He said the committee made about 70 recommendations and urged
the ministry and the armed forces to ensure comprehensive
implementation.

According to him, to facilitating the implementation of these
recommendations, it is expected that the minister of defence would
ensure implementation of the report.

“The fact that war changes its character with time calls for
urgent action to deal with fluctuating situations.

“Legislative processes to correct some of the observed
deficiencies would be needed while a holistic security reform will
be required to ensure a Whole-of-Government and All-of-Citizens
approach to combating the emergent ills of the society.

“In order words, comprehensive approaches are needed involving
the military and civilian expertise.

“A major underlying consideration was the need to check the
quality of personnel being recruited into the system, the type of
education and training they receive as well as their welfare and
equipment,” he said.