Borno Attacks: Ndume urges Tinubu to intensify offensive against insurgents

Amid public outrage over last week’s killings in Ngoshe community in Borno State and the abduction of more than 100 women and children by terrorists, former Senate Leader Ali Ndume has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to match his declaration of a security emergency with decisive action.

Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, made the call in a statement at the weekend while reacting to the coordinated attacks allegedly carried out by insurgents linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The insurgents reportedly launched the attack last Wednesday in Ngoshe, located in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, killing several soldiers, the town’s Chief Imam, and some community elders.

Reports indicated that the terrorists initially attacked a military base belonging to the 82 Division Task Force Battalion before storming the community and an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp.

Ndume recalled that President Tinubu had in November declared a nationwide security emergency and ordered additional recruitment into the Armed Forces to confront insurgency and banditry.

The lawmaker, whose senatorial district includes the affected community, urged the President to direct security forces to intensify sustained clearance operations in areas he described as insurgent strongholds, including Lake Chad, Sambisa Forest, and the Mandara Mountains.

According to him, the recent attacks demonstrate a high level of coordination among insurgent groups operating within the region.

Ndume also reiterated his earlier call for the frontloading of military budgets to ensure that security agencies are adequately equipped to confront insurgency and restore peace in the region.
“Government should walk its talk on the declaration of emergency by engaging in coordinated and sustained offensives against insurgent targets, especially in the North-East. Security forces should carry out consistent clearance operations in Lake Chad, Sambisa Forest, and the Mandara Mountains,” he said.