Ndume Calls For Armed Community Defence Over Boko Haram Massacre

Senator Ali Ndume (APC–Borno South) has strongly condemned the renewed wave of Boko Haram attacks in Borno State that claimed the lives of soldiers, Immigration officers, and dozens of civilians, describing the situation as “worrisome and unacceptable.”

The attacks, which occurred last week in the Darajamal community of Bama Local Government Area and Monguno Local Government Area, left five soldiers, two Immigration officers, and at least 58 civilians dead.

Eyewitnesses and security reports confirmed that several women and girls were abducted during the onslaught in Darajamal.

Security forces, however, were able to mount a counteroffensive. Ground troops of Operation Hadin Kai, backed by the Air Component, engaged the insurgents and reportedly killed over 30 fighters as they attempted to flee into the bush.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Ndume expressed deep grief over the killings, extending his condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Borno State.

“I sympathize with the Government and the people of Borno, especially the families of the victims, including those of the soldiers and Immigration officers. I pray to Almighty Allah to grant the souls of the deceased Aljannatul Firdaus,” the Senator said.

While commending the sacrifices of the military and other security agencies, Ndume decried the unabated nature of attacks in recent months, noting that communities across Borno South, North, and Central Senatorial Districts have been under siege.

“In the past few months, several communities in Borno South, North and Central Senatorial Districts remained under siege by Boko Haram/ISWAP. The situation is worrisome,” he said.

Ndume, a former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to end insurgency, stressing the need for advanced military technology and local community involvement in security.

“Let me therefore use this opportunity to advocate for the setting up of Armed Community Defence to complement the efforts of the military,” he noted.

“This is because men of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), hunters and vigilantes have been doing their best, but they have limitations, as they only carry den guns and sticks, which they find very difficult to confront the terrorists.”

He reiterated his longstanding call for the deployment of what he described as “Technology, Equipment, Arms and Ammunition, Motivation (TEAAM),” including drones, attack helicopters, and other sophisticated tools for the Theatre Command in the Northeast.

According to him, “The only way to end the over-decade-long Boko Haram atrocities in Borno, the North East, and other parts of the country is through TEAAM. The Nigerian military must be given what it needs to win this war.”

Ndume also appealed to residents of Borno to continue supporting security forces, especially through intelligence gathering and information sharing, saying that the fight against insurgency cannot be won without civilian cooperation.

Ndume Calls For Armed Community Defence Over Boko Haram Massacre is first published on The Whistler Newspaper