Why Insecurity Persists In Borno – Ex- Senate President

Lack of political collaboration has been blamed for the renewed Boko Haram activities in the country and not military sabotage, according to Third Republic Senate President, Ameh Ebute.

Ebute stated this in a letter to the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF).

The elder statesman said, while Boko Haram/ISWAP threats have almost vanished in neighbouring states, it persists in Borno due to the unwillingness of political leaders to partner and support the military. 

The former Senate President urged the NGF to call their counterpart from Borno, Babagana Zulum, to order, adding that his administration has not been cooperative with authorities towards ending the Boko Haram scourge. 

“If the truth must be told, with the way the political authorities in the state are treating the threats posed by Boko Haram, we might experience the worse soon,” Ebute said.

“In our opinion, it is an anomaly to assume that the task of securing Borno State is the exclusive preserve of the Federal Government alone.

“The case of Borno state is unfortunate because it has remained the unresolvable base of the insurgency not because the Federal Government has not lived up to expectations, but because the current government in the state has not deemed it necessary to support the military in their operations.

“Has the state government been cooperative with the military authorities towards ending the Boko Haram scourge? These questions are because all we see in the media is either the state Governor is attacking military commanders at checkpoints or his Deputy speaking to our selfless men and women in a very derogatory manner.”

Ebute further advised Zulum to take a cue from governors of Yobe, Bauchi, Adamawa and Gombe states, all of whom, according to the ex-Senate President, have always been on the side of the troops. 

The lack of support from the governor, he said, has dampened the morale of the troops and in turn, bolstered criminal activities. 

His words: “The governors of Yobe, Bauchi, and Adamawa and Gombe states have indeed set examples worthy of emulation for their continuous support towards ensuring there is no resurgence of Boko Haram in their domains. This they have achieved by working day and night with the military.”

Challenging the governors to give more resources to the military, Senator Ebute, however, reiterated that the troops must be encouraged and appreciated to continue to give in their best in the task at hand. 

“Governors as Chief Security Officers are aware that resources are needed in security operations. As such, they must advocate for more resources for the military to aid their operations,” he said. 

“The military must be encouraged and appreciated to continue to give in their best in the task at hand. The psychological implication of these cannot be overemphasized.”

Recall that Zulum had last week accused the military of sabotage following the attack on his convoy by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.

Zulum’s convoy was ambushed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists six days ago on his way to Baga to distribute food to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

Speaking with journalists after the attack on him, Zulum had accused the military of being responsible for the raid on his convoy in Baga.

But Defence Headquarters Spokesman, John Enenche refuted the governor’s claim, saying the DHQ had investigated the allegation and found it to be false.

He added that the attack on the governor’s convoy was not a military sabotage and absorbed it from claims of complacency.