By Femi Fani-Kayode
“Aside the 105 soldiers killed by Boko Haram, additional 34
soldiers were killed two days ago but it wasn’t in the news”– Deji Adeyanju.
I concur with Mr. Deji Adeyanju. The most heartless and
reprehensible thing that our government could have done is to cover-up the fact
that 105 of our soldiers were killed by Boko Haram a few days ago. To do such a
thing is simply evil.
A soldier ought to be honoured in death and this is
especially so if he died in the course of doing his duty and fighting for his
nation.
The government has not only dishonoured them by not
acknowledging their sacrifice but they have also buried them in the wilderness
like rabid dogs.
This is wickedness of the highest order and President
Buhari, his Chief of Army Staff and his Minister of Defence should bury their
heads in shame.
Anyone that buys the lie and propaganda that the 105
soldiers never died and that they are still alive is a compound fool or a
village idiot.
Will the military also deny the fact that a few days ago 34
of our soldiers were killed by Boko Haram? These boys died for their country.
Why deny them?
I am outraged by the fact that a soldier will sacrifice his
life for his country yet the citizens and authorities of that country don’t
even appreciate it.
Pictures of the dead bodies were posted
on social media. Everyone in the military knows that those soldiers are dead.
It is an open secret. Yet because government denies it so many people just
choose to believe them.
The truth is that Boko Haram must have used chemical weapons
in the attack. When you look at the pictures of the dead bodies this is
obvious. It was probably mustard gas.
All we want from the military is the truth. If 105 soldiers
were not killed then how many actually were?
The whole episode happened last week in Borno State
and the military authorities are denying it. I am sickened by that.
If others cannot appreciate the importance of honouring our
dead soldiers, I can. I will not be intimidated and I will not remain silent.
Tell us where our boys are buried and if you refuse to do so we
will keep asking. There must beaccountability and respect for those who have made
the supreme sacrifice just to keep the rest of us safe. Our soldiers deserve
that much.
Finally, let it be said loud and clear that since President
Buhari came to power he has not bought one bullet for the military. Considering
the fact that we are in the middle of a protracted and very bloody war I
believe that this is utterly shameful. If you say you want to fight and defeat
Boko Haram then why are you not buying arms for your troops?
This brings me to other matters and raises other questions
about our President’s sincerity of purpose and commitment.
You say that you are fighting Boko Haram yet you are
travelling the world drinking tea with world leaders whilst your soldiers are
secretly being slaughtered.
You say you are fighting Boko Haram yet you were nominated
as their spokesman and chief negotiator two years ago in a proposed peace talks
with the Federal Government.
You say you are fighting Boko Haram but the man you
appointed as your National Security Adviser was retired from the army a few
years ago for ordering the release of Boko Haram terrorists under suspicious
circumstances.
You say you are fighting Boko Haram but the first thing you
did when you came to power was to remove military checkpoints. This guaranteed
Boko Haram free movement and access to the entire country.
You say you are fighting Boko Haram yet last year you told the
world that an attack on Boko Haram is an attack on the North.
You say you are fighting terror yet since you came to power
Boko Haram has grown in strength, has regained lost territory and has been declared
the “worlds number one most deadly terror group” by the Global Terror Index.
