Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West) has advised his colleague, Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South), to focus on addressing the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno state, particularly in the Zabon Gari Damboa area, before making sweeping criticisms of the government’s approach to security. Karimi’s statement came in response to Ndume’s remarks on a recent Arise TV programme, where the Borno senator criticized the administration of President Bola Tinubu, accusing it of illegalities, excessive borrowing, and ignoring the country’s security situation.
Ndume, during his appearance on the Prime Time show, expressed concerns about the state of governance under Tinubu’s leadership. He highlighted issues such as Nigeria operating with three budgets at once, mounting government debt, and what he described as violations of the federal character provisions in the Nigerian Constitution. According to Ndume, over 70 percent of the president’s appointments have been made from the South West, raising concerns about the country’s unity and equity.
Ndume also discussed the dire security situation, referencing the recent killings in Plateau State and the resurgence of Boko Haram and ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province) in his home state of Borno. He claimed that despite the growing violence, the government had largely ignored these issues, which he suggested was contributing to instability across the country.
In his response, Senator Karimi criticized Ndume for focusing on national politics instead of addressing the root causes of insecurity in his own region. Karimi emphasized that instead of playing politics, Ndume should engage more with local solutions to the Boko Haram insurgency in his constituency.
“Rather than playing to the gallery and criticizing the government, Senator Ndume, as a leader of his people, should go back, liaise with his people on solving Boko Haram problems,” Karimi said. He went on to state that every security-related issue, including Boko Haram’s persistent insurgency in the North East, has a local solution that requires the involvement of community leaders and local authorities.
Karimi also pointed out that the Nigerian government has lost many soldiers and invested substantial financial resources in trying to curb the insurgency over the years, particularly in Borno state, which has been a hotbed of Boko Haram activities. He noted that in the past few weeks, a captain from his own constituency had died in the fight against the insurgents.
“It’s a tragedy that we have lost so many young Nigerians, especially in Borno, who have laid down their lives to protect the territorial integrity of our country,” Karimi lamented. “Over 50 percent of Nigeria’s earnings in the last few years have been spent on fighting insurgency, and yet we see little to no progress.”
In this context, Karimi urged Senator Ndume to collaborate more effectively with local communities, especially in the areas most affected by Boko Haram. According to Karimi, the fight against insurgency cannot be won by making accusations at the national level or by focusing only on federal government shortcomings. Instead, it requires local engagement, peacebuilding, and collective responsibility from all levels of government.
The senator also noted that there had been too many instances where local solutions had been disregarded in favor of federal actions, which often fail to consider the unique challenges of each affected region. “Every security-related issue has a local solution,” Karimi reiterated, adding that a coordinated effort between the federal government, state governments, and local communities is essential to effectively combat Boko Haram.
Meanwhile, security experts have echoed similar concerns about the need for more localized strategies in tackling insurgency. While the Nigerian government has made significant strides in addressing security issues, particularly through military operations, experts argue that sustainable peace can only be achieved by involving local leaders and communities in the process.
The Boko Haram insurgency, which began in 2009, has caused widespread destruction, displacement, and loss of life in the North East, especially in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states. The group, which initially started as a religious movement, has since morphed into a violent militant group responsible for numerous attacks, abductions, and bombings across the region. While the Nigerian military has made significant progress in reclaiming territories once held by the insurgents, the group remains a persistent threat, with new splinter factions like ISWAP continuing to carry out deadly attacks.
In the face of these challenges, local leaders like Karimi believe that a greater emphasis on peacebuilding and addressing the underlying socio-economic grievances of the people is crucial. This includes improving education, providing jobs for the youth, and ensuring that local communities are involved in decision-making processes regarding security measures in their areas.
Senator Ndume’s remarks about the ongoing Boko Haram insurgency and its impact on the people of Borno state are not unfounded, as the region continues to suffer from the violence. However, Karimi’s call for local solutions to the problem highlights a critical aspect of Nigeria’s fight against terrorism — the need for a comprehensive approach that combines both military action and community-driven efforts to achieve lasting peace.
While national debates and criticisms are important, Karimi’s intervention underscores the significance of focusing on practical, on-the-ground solutions that can help to restore peace to the communities most affected by insurgency. Only through collaboration between federal authorities, local governments, and the people can the country hope to overcome the challenges posed by Boko Haram and other insurgent groups.
As Nigeria continues to face an uphill battle against terrorism, it is becoming increasingly clear that the solution lies not only in military might but also in understanding and addressing the concerns of the affected communities. The involvement of leaders like Karimi in the search for solutions could play a crucial role in bridging the gap between government policies and local realities, offering hope for a more peaceful future for the country.
