Bukola Afeni
Senator Ali Ndume has blamed Nigeria’s prolonged insecurity on weak political will, insisting the crisis could end within six months if author
Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, the lawmaker representing Borno South raised alarm over the continued killing of military personnel, including senior officers, particularly in the North East. He described the trend as unacceptable and indicative of unresolved weaknesses in the country’s security approach.
“After killing their commanders, they now come back to kill our commanders and they are still taking about five, six, or even seven,” Ndume said, adding that reports from northern Borno indicated the recent loss of a colonel alongside other soldiers. “This should not continue. This is now the problem.”
Ndume maintained that the persistence of such attacks is not due to lack of capacity but rather inconsistent execution of security measures. According to him, several initiatives introduced to tackle insurgency have not been fully implemented, allowing threats to linger and escalate.
“The actions that have been taken have never been completely done. We have to be very serious about this matter; we have to walk the talk,” he stated.
The senator stressed that the solution lies in strengthening the country’s existing military structure through better training, improved equipment, and enhanced welfare for troops.
He dismissed the idea that external forces are the primary answer, instead calling for targeted support in intelligence and technology.
“What we need is intelligence. What we need is air support. We also need the expertise of specialists,” he said, noting that Nigeria already has trained personnel capable of handling advanced operations if properly equipped.
The senator pointed to the use of drones and modern surveillance systems as critical tools that could significantly reduce the threat within a short period.
Drawing comparisons with regional efforts, Ndume highlighted how technology-driven strategies are yielding results elsewhere, suggesting Nigeria could achieve similar outcomes with the right investment and coordination.
He further warned that the situation in Borno could have been far worse without the interventions of Governor Babagana Zulum, whom he credited for helping stabilise parts of the state amid ongoing security challenges.
