Ndume Issues Grave Warning: Borno and North-East Could Be Lost to Terrorists
Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, the former Senate Leader representing Borno South Senatorial District, has issued a stark and urgent warning about the escalating insurgency in Nigeria's North-East region. He cautioned that if immediate and decisive steps are not taken to strengthen the military, the country risks losing Borno State and the wider North-East to terrorist groups.
Call for Urgent Military Reinforcement
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday after visiting conflict-affected communities in Borno, Ndume emphasized the critical need for the Federal Government to equip the Nigerian Army with modern weapons and adequate ammunition. He stressed that this is essential to effectively prosecute the ongoing war against insurgency and banditry, which continue to plague the region.
"I am calling on the Federal Government to double its efforts in equipping the Army with sophisticated arms and ammunition," Ndume stated. "I gathered that our soldiers lacked adequate ammunition and had to retreat from Ngoshe and Pulka when the terrorists overran them. It was only after reinforcements arrived days later that the areas were recaptured."
Details of Recent Terrorist Attacks
Investigations have revealed that coordinated assaults were carried out by fighters from Boko Haram in collaboration with the Islamic State West Africa Province. These attacks targeted Ngoshe in Gwoza Local Government Area, resulting in significant casualties:
- Several soldiers were killed.
- The village head and community elders, including a woman, lost their lives.
- A number of women and children were abducted.
Although the military has since regained control of the affected communities, Ndume expressed grave concern that troops were initially overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the insurgents. He lamented the scale of destruction, describing the situation as devastating.
Government's Demining Initiative Announced
In a related development, the Federal Government has disclosed plans to involve civilians in demining operations to curb the threat posed by improvised explosive devices and anti-personnel mines. The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), announced this at the National Mine Action Stakeholders Workshop in Abuja.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwah, the minister explained that the proposed civilian demining teams will include:
- Retired combat engineers
- Security veterans
- Medical professionals
- Trained youths
This initiative aims to clear contaminated areas and support affected communities, while also facilitating knowledge transfer from experienced military personnel to younger civilian trainees. It is designed to complement ongoing efforts to address explosive hazards, particularly in insurgency-affected regions.
Community Resilience and Rebuilding Efforts
Ndume highlighted the resilience of the affected communities, noting that many residents are determined to return to their homes rather than relocate to urban centers. He described the destruction in Ngoshe as total, with the area reduced to ground zero and only a small mosque left standing.
"I have visited Ngoshe; it is not something one can easily describe. The place has been reduced to ground zero. The destruction is total, with only a small mosque left standing," he said. "The people, however, remain resilient. Many of them are determined to return to their homes rather than relocate to urban centres. Given this determination, the government must act swiftly to rebuild the communities."
He commended Governor Babagana Zulum for his courageous leadership, particularly for visiting the ravaged communities and spending a night in Pulka to boost the morale of residents and displaced persons. Ndume also urged the Federal Government to support the state in rebuilding the destroyed communities and providing immediate relief to victims currently taking refuge in Internally Displaced Persons camps.
