The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has decried Sunday’s killing of over “70 soldiers” of the 157 Task Force Battalion in Melete, Borno State by Boko Haram insurgents on Sunday.
In a Friday statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party charged the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to give explanations for increased terrorist activities that led to the massacre since it claimed that Boko Haram had been technically “defeated”.
According to the party, the presidency must provide answers as Boko Haram had issued a threat letter before the attack.
The party statement read, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) laments the incessant but avoidable killings of our gallant soldiers by insurgents in the northeast and demands explanations from President Muhammadu Buhari.
“After a thorough review of the killings, especially that of over 70 soldiers of the 157 Task Force Battalion in Melete, Borno state, by invading insurgents, who reportedly sent a threat letter last Friday, to take over military locations in the area, the PDP insists on clarifications from the Buhari Presidency.
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“This is particularly against the backdrop of earlier claims by the Federal Government that insurgents operating in the northeast have been defeated.
“The party is very worried by reports of alleged compromises, neglect and inattention to military formations in the northeast leading to the vulnerability of our beloved soldiers.
“This is in addition to apprehensions by Nigerians that the Buhari Presidency has been distracting our military by dragging our Service Chiefs to participate in his re-election campaign activities, instead of concentrating on their statutory duties.
“The PDP however notes that it still has implicit faith in the Nigerian military and urged the Buhari Presidency to desist from acts that tend to whittle the proficiency and compromise the safety of our men and women who are daily risking their lives in defence of our nation.
“Our party, therefore, charges President Buhari to be alive to his responsibility as the Commander-in-Chief by immediately reviewing his parade to ensure greater professionalism and welfare of our officers and men.
“Finally, the PDP calls on Nigerians not to despair in the face of this ugly development but continue to join forces with our security agencies in the effort to cleanse our land of bandits, insurgents and marauders.”