A member of the House of Representatives, Air Vice Marshal Rufus Ojuawo (Rtd), has urged President Bola Tinubu to make an Executive Order for unification of military command for operational effectiveness and efficiency in the war against terrorism.

Ojuawo’s bill for an act to amend the Armed Forces Cap 20, the Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, to ensure effective and efficient application of military force of Nigeria to provide adequate protection of the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is currently receiving legislative attention at the green chamber.

Speaking to newsmen at the weekend while giving account of his stewardship in Ado Ekiti, the lawmaker said part of the challenges facing the military in the war against insurgents is lack of unification of command, which makes the army and air force work at cross purposes.

The lawmaker representing Ekiti South West/Ise/Emure at the House of Representatives also expressed the need for a Veteran Federation of Nigeria consisting of retired military men who could serve as reserve forces.

Ojuawo, who is sponsoring a bill on the Veteran Federation of Nigeria, said, “It is also going to take care of the health of the retirees and at the same time put them in reserve.

He said, “If you look at the country, we don’t have Armed Forces Federation, and the military alone cannot do the work. In some other countries, you see veterans coming in, or they are kept in reserve so that when the nation needs them based on their experience and their years of service, as well as when there is an operational demand, they could be recalled.

“Like we have in the North West and North Central where there is a surge in banditry and terrorism, you bring in such reserves, but Nigeria, right now, we don’t have such.”

Speaking further on the need for unification of the military command, he added, “If Mr President can come out with Executive Order for unification of command in the military—because we have seen that the military is not as efficient and as effective as it ought to be.

“The army is doing its own, the air force is doing its own, though because of the current leadership they have, they are trying to come together. But if they don’t train together, it will be difficult for them to fight together.

“I want to believe that that is one of the major setbacks in the fight against insurgency. This is a war that is not conventional, so if you are fighting this war without a unification of command, it is going to be difficult. Like if the army is going to fight against bandits in one place, the air force should also be there with them. Everybody should move together.

“I was in the military for 37 years, and I know all the military work. When I got to the House of Reps, I said the Armed Forces Act did not give room for unification of command—in essence, it does not give room for maximum efficiency of the military in defending our sovereignty.

“I sponsored a bill to amend the Act so that we can have the effectiveness and efficiency of our armed forces in providing protection for the Nigerian people.”

However, the Ekiti lawmaker disclosed that he has sponsored a total of four bills, six motions, and 25 intervention programs for his constituency in two years in the House.