Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to provide convincing reasons to the public why Nigerian soldiers are being killed frequently in North East when he said the federal government had all it takes to nip the situation in the bud.

The party in a statement on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbindiyan specifically asked the President to explain why the government did not act before the killings, especially that of the 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.

PDP said its reaction to the incessant killing of soldiers is necessitated against the backdrop of earlier claims by the federal government that insurgents operating in the North East had been defeated.

“The party is very worried by reports of alleged compromises, neglect and inattention to military formations in North East, 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.’

“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 down 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 Mr Buhari to be alive to his responsibility as Commander-in-Chief by immediately reviewing his parade to ensure greater professionalism and welfare of our officers and men.”

“Finally, 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,” the party said.

Daily Trust