Soldiers Deserting Force To Avoid Being Killed by Boko Haram

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.- Gen. Kenneth Minimah

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.- Gen. Kenneth Minimah has revealed that some army personnel have abandoned the force due to the fear of the terrorists group Boko Haram.
Minimah, who gave the warning during a working tour of Lagos and its environs yesterday, condemned the actions of some soldiers who deserted the Force for fear of engaging in battle against the terrorist group Boko Haram.
Minimah said such actions by the soldiers vividly showed that they joined the force for the wrong reasons.
Hear him:

“Sometimes, journalists ask me questions, saying soldiers are deserting their jobs because they don’t want to be killed in the North East. I tell them yes, it is true. Desertion is part of war. A real soldier is known when he is put in the warfront. The one who is not a soldier would run away and abandon his job. Our soldiers are recruited from the Nigerian society and, today, most people are not called to be soldiers, they joined because they are desperately in need of jobs.
“ As long as there is war, there would continue to be desertion and there would continue to be recruitment. Since Alexander The Great, soldiers have been deserting. In the Second World War, there was desertion and even in the Nigeria Civil War, people deserted. It is only in peacetime that you don’t see people deserting. But those who volunteer to fight and defend their nation do not desert; they fight until there is victory.”

Truly a true/real soldier does not abandon his duties in times of war or unrest. However in a country where not much is offered to officers particularly in cases where they die in the line of duty, I can not blame those who resign for doing so.

In fact after seeing how that Police Officer was beheaded by Boko Haram  members this morning, fearing the dreaded terrorist group I think, is beginning of wisdom.

Feel free to disagree, do leave your comments.

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