Mr Femi Falana (SAN) has expressed implicit confidence in the ability of Nigerian troops to end banditry and insurgency without external help.
He expressed the confidence at Ijoko in Ogun at the burial of Mr Akinwunmi Akinsola, deceased Chairman, Nigerian Trade Union Congress (TUC), Kwara chapter.
Akinsola died in the March 28 attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train service.
Falana said the Nigerian government and citizens must dismiss the suggestion by Kaduna State’s Gov. Nasir El-Rufa’i that mercenaries should be hired to protect Nigeria.
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According to him, “l can say without any fear of contradiction that Nigeria has some of the most patriotic soldiers in the world.
“All that is missing is appropriate weapons to fight the terrorists who are well-equipped.
“I am speaking from my personal knowledge because I defend top-ranking soldiers; generals who are charged illegally for demanding weapons to fight terrorists,’’ Falana said.
He stressed that Nigerian troops were ready and prepared to fight but lacked sophisticated weapons to perform optimally and to peoples’ expectations.
The lawyer noted that he had heard some soldiers say they did not join the military because they wanted to commit suicide.
“Troops are prepared to fight, but they are simply saying it is suicidal to face terrorists with inadequate weapons,’’ he added.
