Senator Ndume Urges Tinubu to Declare State of Emergency Amid Borno Insecurity Crisis

By Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja

Borno Senator Calls for Immediate Action as Boko Haram Resurgence Threatens State

Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume has issued an urgent plea to President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency addressing security, welfare, and economic challenges in Borno State. The call comes amid escalating violence and territorial losses to Boko Haram insurgents.

Alarming Statistics Reveal Deepening Crisis

Speaking after security meetings in Abuja, Ndume revealed shocking statistics: “From November last year to date, we’ve experienced 252 attacks in Borno. Over 100 soldiers and 238 civilians have been killed.” The senator confirmed three local governments—Gudumbari, Marte, and Abadam—are currently under insurgent control.

The security situation has paralyzed movement across much of the state. “By 6pm, you cannot go anywhere except in Southern Borno,” Ndume explained, adding that even there, seven of nine local governments face severe restrictions.

Critical Infrastructure and Military Positions Lost

The senator detailed significant territorial losses:

• The strategic Maiduguri-Biu road is now completely closed
• Army formations in Wajiriku, Sabon Gari, Monguno, and Ngala have been displaced
• Wajiriku recently fell to insurgent forces

Military Challenges: Underpaid and Underequipped Forces

Ndume highlighted critical shortcomings in military support:

• New recruits earn just ₦50,000 monthly
• Daily ration allowance of ₦1,500 is inadequate for proper meals
• Lack of modern equipment including MRAP vehicles (costing $900 million each)

“If we must win this fight, our troops need to be trained, equipped, armed, and motivated. That’s what I call TEAM,” the senator emphasized.

Government Response Sparks Controversy

The senator strongly criticized Information Minister Mohammed Idris for dismissing Governor Babagana Zulum’s security warnings. “The minister has never set foot in Borno,” Ndume stated, contrasting this with former Information Minister Lai Mohammed’s multiple visits during the Buhari administration.

Ndume accused the Tinubu administration of being misled by officials disconnected from ground realities, referring to them as “karkistocrats—people without merit or empathy in government.”

High-Level Security Meetings Held

The senator revealed that Governor Zulum, along with Borno’s federal legislators, recently:

• Met with President Tinubu
• Briefed all service chiefs in Abuja
• Conducted expanded security meetings with eight emirs in Maiduguri

Ndume concluded with a stark warning: “For the Minister of Information to dismiss the governor’s first-hand account is not only wrong, it’s reckless—and a grave injustice to suffering citizens.”

Credit: The Sun Nigeria