Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Southern Borno and Gwoza Senatorial District, has raised concerns over the Nigerian military’s ability to effectively combat Boko Haram terrorists.
Ndume, who is the former chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, insisted that the military is under-equipped and lacks the necessary morale to defeat Boko Haram and other terror groups.
Speaking from his residence in Maiduguri, Borno State, Ndume dismissed reports circulating on social media that his convoy was ambushed by Boko Haram terrorists.
The Senator stated that he had recently visited several communities in his constituency to condole with families who lost loved ones in fresh terrorist attacks.
These communities include Ngoshe, Kirawa, Ashigashiya, and others in Gwoza Local Government Area.
Ndume clarified that while his convoy was not targeted, there had been an attack on the Pulka-Kirawa road, where Cameroonian soldiers and other motorists were ambushed by terrorists.
According to the Senator, the attackers killed a Cameroonian businessman, Alhaji Kadi, and an unidentified woman, leaving several others injured.
He explained that he had gone to Ngoshe to console families affected by recent Boko Haram killings, and despite the attack on the Pulka-Kirawa road, he and his team proceeded to Kirawa to continue their visit.
“On October 8, 2024, my convoy and I, along with a military escort, went to condole with the families in Ngoshe. On our way to Kirawa, we received a distress call about an ambush on Cameroonian soldiers,” Ndume said.
He further clarified, “It was not my convoy that was targeted. The terrorists aimed at the Cameroonian businessman and others in the ambush.”
Despite the attack, Ndume stressed that he and his team reached Kirawa safely and urged residents to remain resilient in the face of renewed Boko Haram activities.
During his visit, Ndume laid the foundation for two blocks of classrooms in Kirawa and reiterated his commitment to improving the welfare of his constituents.
However, the Senator did not hold back in his criticism of the Nigerian military’s current state, expressing concern over their ability to defeat Boko Haram.
“The military is determined and committed to ending Boko Haram’s madness, but this cannot be possible if they are not fully equipped, armed, trained, and motivated,” Ndume said.
He pointed out that the military has been making efforts under the leadership of Governor Babagana Zulum and the State Government, but these efforts are limited without adequate federal support.
According to Ndume, Boko Haram continues to attack and loot farms in his constituency, leaving farmers discouraged and hungry.
He noted that these terrorists have been targeting farmers who are harvesting crops, particularly in the Mandara Mountains region, where many communities have been affected.
“Farmers in Ngoshe, Kirawa, Ashigashiya, and surrounding communities have worked hard to produce their crops, only for terrorists to loot half of what they produced. It is frustrating for them,” Ndume stated.
He added that the federal government needs to do more to support the military, saying that while the soldiers are brave, they cannot succeed without better equipment, weapons, and motivation.
Ndume revealed that he had spoken with General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, who assured him that additional forces would be deployed to Gwoza to help protect farmers during the harvest season.
He acknowledged the efforts being made but stressed that more needs to be done to equip the military.
“There is no doubt that the military is committed, but their lack of equipment and proper motivation is making it difficult for them to overcome Boko Haram,” Ndume said.
He added, “The federal government must act quickly to provide the necessary support. We cannot allow this to continue.”
Boko Haram, which has been active in Nigeria since 2009, continues to be a major threat, especially in the northeastern region of the country.
Despite numerous military operations aimed at defeating the group, Boko Haram remains resilient, launching attacks on civilian communities and military forces alike.