Ali Ndume, the senator representing Borno South in the National Assembly, has advised President Bola Tinubu to hire military contractors to help combat insurgents and bandits in the country.
The suggestion came after a recent deadly attack on Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State, which claimed the lives of six farmers and led to the abduction of five others.
During a phone conversation with journalists on Wednesday, Ndume emphasized the effectiveness of military contractors in addressing insecurity across various hotspots in Nigeria.
“All across the world, governments hire the services of military contractors to engage in certain places,” Ndume stated.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu can consider this as a short-term measure. These contractors will work with our military and civilian JTF, who understand the terrain.”
He added that the contractors would bring their own military equipment and hardware, allowing them to eliminate Boko Haram terrorists within a short time.
Ndume further suggested that these contractors could also be deployed to handle bandits operating in the north-west.
“Over time, the federal government can now recruit youths to join the military and raise the number to at least one million. But in the interim, I think the president should consider this option of hiring military contractors,” he advised.
The attack on Ngoshe, which Ndume referenced, also saw the killing of Jubril Zarana, the commander of the civilian joint task force (JTF) in the area.
According to Filibus Yakubu, the councillor of Ngoshe ward, the terrorists ambushed farmers on their fields, killing some and abducting others. The information about the attack was obtained from three women who were released by the Boko Haram terrorists.
“The Boko Haram terrorists released three women from which this information was obtained. The released women further stated that the victims are being kept hostage by the terrorists,” Yakubu explained.
He also mentioned that some individuals were still missing after the attack.
“Moreover, some people were still missing as at this time that we’re talking, as a result of this incident. The people did not return to Ngoshe during the catastrophe, and as reported by the released women, they are not part of the ones abducted.”
Yakubu also highlighted the severe hardships facing the local community, which continues to lack essential resources.
“Our people are severely suffering due to lack of essential life support, but they have chosen to remain in their fatherland because of the love they have for it.”
While praising the efforts of the state government, Yakubu criticized non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for failing to provide sufficient food supplies.
“The state government has really tried for our people, but NGOs and others are not providing us with food supplies,” he added.