Senator Mohammed Ndume, who represents the Southern Borno Senatorial District, has raised concerns about the Nigerian military’s lack of adequate resources to effectively combat insurgency and banditry.
He highlighted that the military is under-equipped and lacks the necessary support to bring an end to these security challenges.
Ndume shared these views while addressing the media at his residence in Maiduguri, following his return from a condolence visit to the families of victims recently killed by terrorists in the communities of Ngoshe, Kirawa, Ashigashiya, and other areas in Gwoza Local Government Area.
The senator also used the opportunity to refute false reports circulating on social media, which claimed that his convoy had been ambushed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.
Ndume clarified the situation, explaining that he, along with other stakeholders, had embarked on a journey to Ngoshe for a condolence visit to the families affected by the recent attacks. The convoy, which included a military escort, later proceeded to Kirawa, despite reports of an ambush earlier that day.
Ndume detailed the events, stating, “On Tuesday, my humble self and other concerned stakeholders, with a convoy of military escort, were on our way to Ngoshe to condole with the families of those killed by terrorists, before proceeding to Kirawa.
On our way, we received a distress call that some Cameroonian soldiers and motorists were ambushed along the Pulka-Kirawa road.”
Despite the potential danger, Ndume and his team continued their journey, successfully reaching Kirawa, where they extended their condolences to the families of those who had lost their lives in a terrorist attack the previous week. He also urged the local residents to remain strong and resilient in the face of the renewed Boko Haram assaults.
According to the senator, the ambush on the Kirawa road had targeted a Cameroonian businessman (Alhaji Kadi), who was killed along with an unidentified woman, while others were injured.
Ndume further stressed that while the military is committed to ending the threat posed by Boko Haram, their efforts will be hampered unless they receive proper equipment, arms, training, and motivation.
He emphasized that achieving success in defeating Boko Haram and restoring peace is impossible without addressing these fundamental issues in the military’s operational capabilities.
