Over 400 Borno Residents Held By Insurgents As Security Crisis Deepens — Ndume

A Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume, has raised fresh concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the North-East, disclosing that over 400 residents are currently in the captivity of terrorists following renewed attacks on communities in Borno State.

Ndume, who spoke on Politics Today, described the development as disturbing and heartbreaking, noting that the victims include women, children and the elderly.

According to him, recent visits to affected communities revealed the scale of devastation, particularly in Goshe, where he said virtually all structures have been destroyed.

“Everything has been destroyed in Goshe. As I said earlier, only a small mosque is left standing,” he said.

The lawmaker disclosed that displaced residents have fled to Pulka, where they are currently taking refuge under harsh and congested conditions, including occupation of a primary school facility, thereby disrupting academic activities.

He noted that many of the displaced persons are unwilling to remain in the camp due to poor living conditions, insisting instead on returning to their ancestral homes, even if it means living in temporary shelters.

“Our people are resilient. They prefer to go back and stay in their communities, even under difficult conditions, rather than remain in IDP camps,” Ndume stated.

Highlighting operational challenges, the senator identified the poor condition of the 12-kilometre road linking Pulka to Goshe as a major setback to both civilian movement and military response.

He explained that insurgents are exploiting the inaccessibility of the area, stressing that fixing the road would significantly improve response time and security presence.

On the resurgence of attacks, Ndume attributed the escalation to retaliatory moves by insurgents following recent military offensives that targeted their leadership.

He, however, expressed concern over what he described as inconsistent and inadequate responses by security agencies, pointing to gaps in equipment, manpower and troop welfare.

“Our soldiers are doing their best, but they need better equipment, more personnel and improved motivation,” he said.

Ndume further urged the Federal Government to demonstrate stronger political will, insisting that the insurgency could be curtailed within a short time if security forces are properly trained, equipped and supported.

He also called for enhanced coordination between federal and state authorities through the establishment of a centralised security “situation room” for real-time intelligence sharing and rapid response.

The senator appealed to international partners, particularly the United States, for support in intelligence gathering, surveillance technology and military expertise.

“What we need most is intelligence and modern technology. With adequate deployment of drones and surveillance systems, we can significantly reduce these attacks,” he added.

Explaining how such a large number of people were abducted, Ndume cited the geography of the affected areas, noting that many communities are closely connected and largely ungoverned, making them vulnerable to infiltration.

He warned that the crisis, which originated in the North-East, is spreading to other regions, particularly the North-West and North-Central, with rising cases of banditry, kidnappings and killings.

“The situation is worsening and spreading. Other regions are now facing similar threats,” Ndume cautioned.