Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has raised fresh concerns over the escalating insurgency in the North-East, warning that Nigeria risks losing Borno State and the wider region to terrorists if urgent steps are not taken to strengthen the military.

Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, called on the Federal Government to urgently equip the Nigerian Army with modern weapons and adequate ammunition to effectively prosecute the war against insurgency and banditry.

He spoke on Tuesday in Abuja while briefing journalists on his recent visit to conflict-affected communities in the state.

This is as the Federal Government has disclosed plans to involve youths, retired military personnel and other civilians in demining operations aimed at curbing the threat posed by improvised explosive devices and anti-personnel mines across the country.

The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), disclosed this on Tuesday at the National Mine Action Stakeholders Workshop in Abuja, noting that the initiative would complement ongoing efforts to address explosive hazards, particularly in insurgency-affected areas.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwah, the minister said the proposed civilian demining teams would comprise retired combat engineers, security veterans, medical professionals and trained youths working together to clear contaminated areas and support affected communities.

He explained that the model would allow knowledge transfer from experienced military personnel to younger civilian trainees while fostering trust within communities impacted by mines and improvised explosive devices.

Investigations revealed that fighters from Boko Haram, in collaboration with the Islamic State West Africa Province, carried out coordinated assaults on Ngoshe in Gwoza Local Government Area. During the attacks, several soldiers, the village head, and community elders, including a woman, were reportedly killed, while 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.

“I am calling on the Federal Government to double its efforts in equipping the Army with sophisticated arms and ammunition,” he said. “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.”

He lamented the scale of destruction in the affected communities, describing the situation as devastating. “Nothing was left standing in Ngoshe and Pulka by the terrorists,” he added.

Ndume, however, commended Governor Zulum for his courage and leadership, particularly for visiting the ravaged communities and spending a night in Pulka to boost the morale of residents and displaced persons.

He 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 (IDPs) camps.

“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.”