Aisha Yesufu Faults National Assembly Over Silence on Killing of Soldiers by Terrorists
Human rights activist, Aisha Yesufu, has criticised the National Assembly of Nigeria over what she described as its silence amid the killing of Nigerian soldiers by insurgents in Borno State.
Her comments followed reports that militants of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a faction linked to the Islamic State, carried out coordinated attacks in parts of the state, leading to the killing of an unconfirmed number of people, including soldiers.
Reacting in a post on her X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday, Yesufu lamented the increasing loss of soldiers in the fight against insurgency and questioned the role of lawmakers in protecting the interests of Nigerians and the welfare of military personnel.
“We are losing our soldiers at a sickeningly alarming state. Where is the National Assembly? They were voted to be the people’s representatives and protect the interests of the people!” she wrote.
“Who have they summoned to ask them what is going on? What laws have they made to ensure soldiers and their families are protected?
“What happens to the families of our slain heroes? What is the National Assembly doing to protect their interests!” she added.
She further criticised the senate, saying, “It is one thing not to have a Commander-in-Chief, it is another disastrous thing to have a passive and controlled National Assembly.”
According to an earlier report, Ngoshe town in Gwoza Local Government Area came under a coordinated attack around 4am on Wednesday, with the insurgents reportedly operating in the area until daybreak.
During the incident, the militants were said to have stormed a military base, the 82 Division Task Force Battalion under the 26 Brigade, and also attacked a camp for internally displaced persons in the community.
A source added that the insurgents ransacked the community while searching for soldiers believed to be hiding. They also reportedly set ablaze armoured tanks and military vehicles before fleeing with an undisclosed quantity of ammunition.
