Muhammed Babandede, a former comptroller-general of Nigeria Immigration Service, has asked President BolaTinubu’s government to consider engaging the services of ex-servicemen in the fight against bandits and Boko Haram.

Mr Babandede made the call in Abuja at the 21st anniversary of the Peace Building Development Consult book launch and award presentations.

Mr Babandede noted that many able and trained officers had been retired, hence the urgent need to bring them back to assist in the fight against insecurity.

“Government spends huge amounts of money to train military officers, and you find that some of them were retired at 50, 55, or even earlier and doing nothing afterwards.

“You need to have a think-tank in every organisation, government needs to harness these high-level people. They are everywhere,” he said.

Mr Babandede also said most experienced officers left the service simply because their juniors were appointed chiefs.

“So, they had to go, and they are not being used. We need to form a think-tank on ways to address insecurity in the country. This is my call, and I hope government listens to it,” Mr Babandede said.

He also advised politicians to desist from dividing the country along religious and ethnic lines. He noted that in the past, Nigerians related as one in love and unity, irrespective of tribe, religion or ethnic sentiments, saying Muslims lived with their Christian neighbours and just minded their businesses.

He decried politicians who wanted power, instigated people, used religious and ethnic sentiments to get things done or to avoid losing power, and used such strategies to remain relevant in society.

“They always exploit the culture of religion, tribe and culture of sectionalism in order to gain benefits. I call on these politicians and on the government if they are careful to prohibit this.

“Let us prohibit this, let it be a crime for you to rally your people based on religion, tribe, or ethnicity. Let it be a punishable offence,” Mr Babandede said.

He added, “If we do that, society will be better because if there is joy, nobody is enjoying that joy strictly because of religion or culture. If there is suffering, nobody is suffering because of religion, culture, or tribe. That’s my call. I hope Nigeria will feel better if we consider this.”

(NAN)