FG Allegedly Enlists Services Of South Africans Merceneries To Fight Bokoharam

In s desperate effort to meet the December deadline to eradicate Boko Haram insurgency, the Federal Government is said to have enlisted the services of mercenaries from South Africa, to boost military activities. Anadolo, a Turkishbased news agency yesterday said in its website that the mercenaries, estimated 250 personnel and hired from South Africa-based private contractor Specialized Tasks, Training, Equipment and Protection (STTEP), are being deployed along with fighter jets in Operation Fire Force.

This is the second time South African mercenaries would be employed to help battle Boko Haram militants. Former President Goodluck Jonathan also recruited the services of the same group of mercenaries.
A source at Nigeria’s defense headquarters said on condition of anonymity that


“The mercenaries have been reengaged and their platforms are being deployed. By platforms, I mean fighter jets, helos (helicopters), coms (communication), surveillance, medics, etc.”



The veracity of the report could not immediately be confirmed as Nigerian military did not respond to request for comment.
Also, STTEP refused to comment.
The deliberate effort to keep the whole operation under wraps may be as a result of the criticisms that trailed the Jonathan administration when reports filtered out that it employed mercenaries to help fight the insurgents. Critics (including the opposition) accused the administration of wasting funds on mercenaries while starving the military of funds and equipment. In fact, it became a campaign issue in March when President Muhammadu Buhari (then presidential candidate) condemned the practice, describing it as “shameful.”


But now, the Buhari administration is again alleged to be deploying the same mercenaries-albeit secretly. The defense HQ source said it appeared to be the most practical option if headway was to be made against militants whose guerilla tactics are new to the Nigerian military.


Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu has however denied the government was engaging mercenaries again.



“It is true that the previous administration hired South African mercenaries to fight Boko Ha- ram,” he said.
“They, however, left with the government that brought them. Since coming into office, this government did not have any engagement with mercenaries of any kind and there are no plans to do so,” Shehu added.