By Baron Ike
Until political masters take decisions that would warrant the military to show interest, the khaki men will not blink over comments and meetings regarding the restructuring of the country.
Restructuring has become the latest sing song of politicians with many of them insisting that it must be carried out immediately if Nigeria is to make progress.
That was the position of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Buratai when he fielded questions recently from Channel Television station which was monitored by armadanews.com.
“The issue of restructuring has not come to the military for now to come in. It is for now a police responsibility. Political masters will determine or decide military’s involvement or responsibility,” Said Buratai.
He said the perception that criminal matters are the responsibility of the molitary alone is wrong, noting that it should be collective.
Buratai who praised the military for their role in dealing with the islamiist terrorists, Boko Haram, said police can be empowered to play their role effectively.
“Police need to be increased, trained, retrained, equipped to operate and function as body responsible for law and order. Soldiers only come in to assist them. We are to come to the aid of civil authority .
“Insecurity in the land is a statement of fact. It is an issue that should be continously tackled. It is not for the military alone. It is collective. Police can be empowered to play their role,” Buratai explained.
On a recent report that child soldiers are being engaged for military services, the Army Chief said it is not true though he said the army will study the report which he described as a national rather than Army issue.