Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has raised the alarm over renewed insurgent attacks in Borno State, warning that Nigerian troops were being outgunned by terrorists due to inadequate equipment.
Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, made the disclosure on Tuesday while speaking with journalists in Abuja, following an assessment visit to affected communities.
The lawmaker had, over the weekend, visited Ngoshe and Pulka alongside the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, to evaluate the level of destruction caused by the attacks.
Findings revealed that fighters from Boko Haram, in collaboration with Islamic State West Africa Province, carried out coordinated assaults on Ngoshe in Gwoza Local Government Area, killing several soldiers, the village head, and community elders, including a woman. A number of women and children were also abducted during the raid.
Although the Nigerian Army has since regained control of the affected communities, Ndume expressed grave concern that the 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 lack adequate ammunition and had to withdraw from Ngoshe and Pulka because the terrorists overwhelmed them. It was days after reinforcement that they regained the area. Nothing was left standing in Ngoshe and Pulka.”
Describing the scale of destruction, Ndume said the communities had been reduced to rubble, with barely any structure left intact.
“I have visited Ngoshe; it is something you cannot fully describe unless you have seen it. It has been brought down to ground zero. The destruction is complete. There is nothing left standing except one small mosque,” he said.
The senator commended Governor Zulum for personally visiting the affected areas and spending a night in Pulka, noting that the gesture had significant psychological impact on displaced residents.
He also called on the federal government to urgently support the Borno State Government in rebuilding the devastated communities and providing relief to displaced persons currently taking refuge in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.
“The people are resilient. I interacted with them, and many are determined to return home rather than relocate to cities. Since they have that determination, the government must act swiftly to rebuild the communities,” he added.
Ndume further disclosed plans to raise the matter at the National Assembly, hinting at a possible motion to galvanise legislative intervention, even as he urged immediate executive action to address the humanitarian and security crisis.
“I will engage my colleagues in both chambers of the National Assembly. We will take necessary steps, but we expect the federal government to intervene without delay,” he said.
While commending the Nigerian Army for eventually reclaiming the affected communities, Ndume insisted that sustained support, improved weaponry, and strategic reinforcement remain critical to preventing future occurrences.
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