Senator Ali Ndume
Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has expressed deep sorrow over the killing of nine civilians by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Kautikari village, Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State.
The attack, which occurred on Monday at about 6 p.m., targeted the predominantly Christian community, leaving residents devastated and displaced. Among those killed was the Commanding Officer of the Hunters group, Mallam Bumto, who had reportedly returned from Lagos State just a day before the incident.
Also killed during the assault was Mr. Yohanna Peter, whose wedding had been scheduled for Tuesday at Kautikari Church. Seven other residents were also murdered during the raid, while the attackers looted foodstuffs and livestock before fleeing, forcing many villagers to abandon their homes.
In a statement he signed on Tuesday and made available to journalists in Maiduguri, Ndume commiserated with the bereaved families and prayed for the victims.
He prayed that Allah grants “Eternal Rest to the Souls of those killed and wished the injured ones quick recovery.”
The senator, however, raised concerns over what he described as inadequate firepower available to Nigerian security forces in tackling insurgency in the North-East.
He emphasised that “the Nigerian Security Operatives, especially the military lacks the firepower to end the over decade Boko Haram atrocities in the North East, stressing that the Federal Government must procure sophisticated weapons such as fighter jets, drones, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles to decisively dealt or confront the terrorists in Sambisa Forests, Timbuktu Triangle, Mandara Mountains and the Lake Chad region which have remained enclaves and hideouts of the dreaded terrorists group”.
Ndume further stressed the need to strengthen military capabilities, insisting that adequate support must be provided to frontline troops.
He reiterated that Technology, Equipment, Arms/Ammunition and Motivation (TEAAM) must be provided to the military and other security agencies to effectively end the insurgency.
The former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army also recalled his long-standing advocacy for proactive military operations against insurgents.
According to him, “for many years ago, I was one of the strong advocates, calling upon the Military to take the war to the door steps of insurgents, be proactive rather than reactive, unfortunately, I was made to understand that the Military are not fully equipped to the tasks, and therefore, let me urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to please do the needful”.
Despite his concerns, Ndume commended troops, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, hunters, and vigilantes for their continued sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and other criminal activities across the country.
He also urged citizens to support security agencies with credible intelligence, noting that tackling insecurity requires collective responsibility.
The senator said security challenges should not be left in the hands of the military alone, but that all hands must be on deck to defeat terrorism and restore peace to affected communities
