Lawmaker blames Jonathan for deserting soldiers in the Army

A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Lagos Mainland Constituency 2, Olanrewaju Oshun, has blamed President Goodluck Jonathan for the alleged mutiny by some men of the Nigerian Army.

Speaking in an interview, Oshun, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, challenged Jonathan to demonstrate boldness by visiting Sambisa Forest in Borno State as a way of encouraging the Nigerian Army.

The lawmaker, while reacting to the alleged mutiny in the army, said, “If the President, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, would not visit Sambisa, then the soldiers have excuses not to do the same.”

Earlier, Chief of Army Staff, Kenneth Minimah, had warned soldiers against any mutiny. He said, “If you are tired of the Army, you quietly pack your things and go away; don't come to ridicule our country. Mutiny is death sentence, if you are found guilty, you face a firing squad.”

“When the wife of the Deputy Prime Minister of Cameroon was kidnapped by the insurgents, the Cameroonian government used everything within its power to secure her release. This goes to show that the Cameroonian government is responsive.

“The Federal Government should take a cue from the example displayed by the Cameroonian government. If President Jonathan's daughter was among the abducted girls, he would have the effrontery to go to Sambisa,” Oshun said.

Over 200 girls of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, are still in captivity after over 120 days since they were abducted by the Boko Haram sect, which attracted international condemnation. The girls are believed to be camped in Sambisa forest.