Senator Ali Ndume has sounded the alarm over the security situation in Borno State and the wider North-East, warning that the region could fall further into the hands of Boko Haram insurgents if urgent measures are not taken.
The Borno South lawmaker made the call after visiting the Ngoshe and Pulka communities alongside Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, where troops had reportedly been overwhelmed by insurgents.
Ndume expressed concern that soldiers were initially outgunned due to the superior firepower of the terrorists.
“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 lacked adequate ammunition and had to withdraw from Ngoshe and Pulka because they were overwhelmed.
”It was only after reinforcements arrived that the areas were reclaimed, ” he said.
Describing the devastation, Ndume said the destruction in the affected communities was “something you cannot fully describe.
”It has been brought down to ground zero. Nothing was left standing except one small mosque.”
The senator also commended Governor Zulum for his visits to the affected areas and displaced persons camps, noting that the governor’s presence provided a morale boost to residents.
Ndume further called on the federal government to support the Borno State Government in rebuilding the destroyed communities and providing relief to displaced residents.
“There is an urgent need for federal government intervention. The people are resilient and determined to return to their homes, and government must support them,” he said.
The lawmaker revealed plans to engage his colleagues in the National Assembly to raise a motion on the situation, while expressing hope that swift action would follow.
He also commended the Nigerian Army for successfully reclaiming the communities after the initial setbacks.
