Kehinde Fajobi
Senator Mohammed Ndume, a former chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, has stated that the Nigerian military is ill-equipped and lacks the morale to decisively defeat Boko Haram and banditry.
Speaking from his Maiduguri residence after a condolence visit to families affected by recent terrorist attacks in Gwoza Local Government Area, Ndume also dismissed reports of an ambush on his convoy by suspected Boko Haram members.
Ndume clarified that while traveling with a military escort to visit grieving families in Ngoshe and Kirawa, he received reports of an ambush on the Pulka-Kirawa Road targeting Cameroonian soldiers and civilians.
“On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, we were informed of an attack on Cameroonian soldiers and motorists along the Pulka-Kirawa Road,” he explained.
Despite the risks, Ndume continued his journey to Kirawa, encouraging residents to remain resilient and not panic over renewed Boko Haram activities.
The senator described the attack as aimed at a Cameroonian businessman, Alhaji Kadi, who was killed along with an unidentified woman.
“The target was not me,” Ndume clarified, adding that there were additional victims due to the attack occurring on a market day in Kirawa.
He expressed concerns about potential insider collusion with Boko Haram, saying, “I strongly suspect some individuals are passing information to the terrorists.”
He praised the Nigerian military’s efforts to clear the area despite significant challenges, including bombs that damaged two military vehicles during the operation.
Ndume also highlighted the hardships faced by local farmers who have been targeted by Boko Haram while trying to harvest crops, noting that half of the produce in affected communities had been looted by terrorists. While commending the efforts of the military and the Borno State government, he stressed that the federal government must provide better equipment and support for troops.
“The military is determined to end Boko Haram’s madness, but this cannot happen unless they are fully equipped, armed, trained, and motivated,” Ndume said.
He added that he had spoken with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who assured him of reinforcements to protect farmers in Gwoza during the harvest season.