The MPs representing Bornonan Senator District Ali Ndume clarified that more than 300 people have been killed in 252 attacks in the last six months after the recent rebellion in the Boko Haram rebellion in Barno State, a major factor in Governor Babagagana Zulum’s decision to lead the military high-level order to gain more support.
Speaking in a Saturday’s reporter in Abuja, Ndume explained that the decision was a series of meetings held between the Governor and the key stakeholders in Borno State, where the security situation was reviewed.
The delegation, including Ndume, visited senior military officials, including defense personnel, General Christopher Moussa, Chief of Staff, and heads of the Army and Navy.
Ndume acknowledged that while the military is doing its best to resolve the rebellion, it is currently overstretched due to various operational challenges.
He said “Yesterday, I myself and two other senators from my state, as well as members of the House and his Excellency, the Governor went to meet with the CDS, the Army Chiefs, the Air Staff and even the Navy Chiefs to discuss the recent discussion of the recent escalation or recovery of the insurgents in particular in Bolro State.
“We are worried because we have had 252 attacks in Borno State since last November. Over 100 soldiers were killed in six months. More than 200 civilians were killed.
“We record 238. Although the Nigerian armed forces are doing their best, their Borno State eliminated more than 800 terrorists and the terrorists themselves have eliminated about 500 of their own due to the battle between ISWAP and Boko Haram.
“As I am talking to you now, our three local governments are under the leadership of Boko Haram, Gudumbari, Marche and Abadam.
“Even in Borno in the south, nine local governments can’t go anywhere at nine o’clock.
“Until eight o’clock in the morning, you can’t even move between one local government and another. That’s after Nigerian troops manually scan the road.
“Our road from Maiduguri to BIU usually takes up to two hours under normal circumstances.
“Previously, you could go there with you. But despite these challenges they face, the Nigerian army is still doing their best. They are still trying to transfer people from Maiduguri to Damboa, only weekly. Their formation is displaced.”
ndume further pointed out that “() the army formed in Wajiruku in Sabongari, all of whom were displaced.
“The Army is doing its best, but without training and enough troops, it can’t do that. That’s why I say that if you want to solve these problems, you have to teach them, you have to be equipped, you have to be armed, you have to be motivated. That’s what I call a team.
The former chairman of the Senate Army Committee further said: “Currently, soldiers are overstretched. Police are overstretched. The total number of the Air Force is overstretched. The total number of the Army, including the Army, Air Force and Navy is up to 300,000.
“In a more than 200 million people, the armed forces are operating in nearly 30 states. The Nigerian army is on standby in almost all states, including Abuja. You cannot protect 36 states with more than 200 million people, with 300 soldiers well equipped.
“The police didn’t reach 400,000. They were not equipped. The worst thing was that they were not paid. Until recently, I wasn’t sure if they had started implementing it; recruits from the army were paid N50,000.
“The recruits from the Nigerian police are the same thing. In fact, all other security agencies are worse. Some are even worse. In most places, the minimum wage has not been implemented yet.
How do you want them to work?
“But despite this, they’re ready. You can see them; these young people are ready to sacrifice their lives for the country. And worst of all, their daily rations, they pay them 1,500.
“So when the governor came, we went to them, and like I said, the Nigerian Armed Forces were doing their best. As usual, they assured us that they made us missteps in our work and plans. It was very impressive and very encouraging.
“And the governor also gave them support.
