A lawmaker from Borno State, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, has blamed the recurring bombings in the state, especially, at the University of the Maiduguri and its environs on the frequent change of guards by military authorities.

The Senator said the change of guards of the theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole and other Commanders have had negative impact on the operations of the military against the Boko Haram insurgency.

According to him, the terror group seemed to have resurrected more forcefully than they were when the Operation Lafiya Dole was under Major-General Lucky Irabor’s command.

It would be recalled that General Irabor was redeployed as Force Commander of Multinational Joint Task Force, N’Djamena, having served in the Theatre for 15 months and replaced by Major-General. Ibrahim Attahiru.

“The return of bombings in Maiduguri, particularly in the University of University is worrisome. I think these bombings returned in full force soon after there was a change of guards at the ‘Theatre Command’ where commanders, GOCs and unit commanders were replaced or redeployed.

“Since this development, we have seen a return of bombings and other atrocious acts that were hitherto brought under control. I, therefore, think the change of guards of ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’ was unnecessary,” he said, stressing that the Service Chiefs that effected the change ought to have been summoned to explain reasons for their decision.

According to him, the Service Chiefs should have approached President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly for whatever problems they had instead of opting to redeploy the leadership of the operation.

“I expected my colleagues from Borno State at the Senate and House of Representatives in the National Assembly, to summon the Service Chiefs to explain the recent decline of security in the state soon after there was a change of guards at the ‘Theatre Command’ where commanders, GOCs and unit commanders were replaced or redeployed.

“I think changing the guards was not necessary. The Service Chiefs and other commanders should have drawn the attention of the President or the NASS to whatever problems they had instead of changing guards.

“If I were not on suspension (I don’t want to talk about the Senate), I could have moved a motion for the Senate to invite the Service Chiefs to answer some questions or explain to us what is happening and suggest the way forward,” the lawmaker said, noting that the spate of bombings in Maiduguri since the change was made has become embarrassing.

It will be recalled that since the change of guards in May, no fewer than eight incidences of suicide bombings had been recorded, with at least four of such incidences recorded in the university.

Accordingly, the lawmaker urged the military authority to reconsider the redeployment, noting that the present leadership of ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’ was yet to brace up to the challenge of containing the Boko Haram insurgency and thus ensuring reasonable security for lives and property of members of the university community and its environs, and the state as a whole. (Blueprint)

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