Insurgency: “We risk losing Borno, Northeast to terrorists” – Ndume raises alarm
The lawmaker representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume has raised an alarm over the incessant attacks in Borno by members of the Boko Haram sect and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP),
Ndume warned that the nation risks losing some of its territories in Borno and the possibly, the entire Northeast region to the terrorists operating in these areas.
Speaking while visiting Pulka and Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno, the lawmaker called on the Federal Government to fully equip the Nigerian Army in their efforts to fight terrorism and banditry in Nigeria.
Ndume who visited the communities alongside the state governor, Babagana Zulum said the troops of the Nigerian military were overrun by the superior firepower of the terrorists during the attacks that led to the killing of several soldiers, and residents of the areas.
He said, “I am calling on the federal government to double its efforts in equipping the Army with sophisticated arms and ammunition.
“I gathered that our soldiers lack adequate ammunition and they ran away from Ngoshe and Pulka because the terrorists overwhelmed them. It was days after reinforcement that they regained the place.
“Nothing was left standing in Ngoshe and Pulka by the terrorists,” Ndume warned.
Also commending the Borno governor, Ndume said that there is a need for the Federal Government to assist the state in the effort to rebuild its cities.
He added that the havoc created by the terrorists in these communities is nothing to write home about.
“I have visited Ngoshe, it isn’t something you can describe but for somebody that has seen it, it has been brought down to ground zero.
“That’s what I have seen. The destruction is complete. There is nothing left standing except one small mosque. The people are resilient, the governor is determined to rebuild Ngoshe and there is an urgent need for federal government intervention,” he said.
He further promised to approach the leadership of the national Assembly for collective action towards finding a solution to ending the insurgency and intervening in the plight faced by the people of Borno.
