Boko Haram: Only FG Can Decide On Hiring Mercenaries – Army

The defence headquarters says the decision to hire military contractors to assist in the war against insurgency is totally up the federal government.

Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno, had recommended the hiring of mercenaries to assist the military in tackling insurgents.

The governor made the recommendations to a federal government delegation which visited him over the killing of more than 40 farmers.

At a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, John Eneche, defence spokesman, said it was not within the power of the military to contract a private army.

He said such decision be taken the federal government and will reflect the collective wish of the people.

“Request or proposal to engage mercenaries, that is at a very high level. The kind of armed forces and security agencies you have now is normally determined by the people,” he was quoted to have said.

”It (engagement of mercenaries) is not in our powers. It is a kind of force package; it is what the government wants. It is not for the military to begin to contend.

“No armed forces anywhere will tell the people, ‘this is how we want to operate.’ The legislators, National Security Council, will decide on it.”