Insurgency: Nigeria Risks Losing Borno, North East To Terrorists – Ali Ndume

Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume has warned that Nigeria risks losing control of Borno State and parts of the North-East to terrorists.

This comes as Ndume urged the federal government to ensure that the Nigerian Army is fully equipped to win the battle against insurgency and banditry.

The senator representing Borno South made the call on Tuesday.

Recall that in recent weeks, the Boko Haram sect, in conjunction with the Islamic State–West Africa Province (ISWAP), carried out coordinated attacks in the Ngoshe community in the Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, killing some soldiers, the village head, and several community elders, including a woman.

After visiting the affected Ngoshe and Pulka communities in the company of the Borno State Government, Governor Professor Babagana Zulum, and Ndume expressed grave concern over the insecurity situation in the region.

According to him, the military was initially overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the terrorist groups.

He said, “I am calling on the federal government to double its efforts in equipping the Army with sophisticated arms and ammunition.

“I gathered that our soldiers lacked adequate ammunition, and they retreated from Ngoshe and Pulka because the terrorists overwhelmed them. It was only days after reinforcements arrived that they regained control. Nothing was left standing in Ngoshe and Pulka by the terrorists.

“I have visited Ngoshe; it isn’t something you can describe. For someone who has seen it, the town has been brought down to ground zero.

“That’s what I witnessed. The destruction is complete. There is nothing left standing except one small mosque. The people are resilient, the governor is determined to rebuild Ngoshe, and there is an urgent need for federal government intervention.

“I will talk with my colleagues at the National Assembly, and we will collectively, in both Houses, move a motion. But before then, we expect the federal government to intervene. This is necessary because the people are still resilient. I have interacted with them, they are determined; some even refused to go into the cities, wanting to return home. Since they have that determination, the government must rebuild the place.

“I must commend the Nigerian Army for retaking Ngoshe. After we returned, the Governor spent a night in Pulka, and I must commend him. I see the psychological impact of that, and we want to thank him on behalf of my people. It is something we will never forget,” he added.