Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, has called on the Nigerian military to sustain and intensify its offensive against Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) following a spate of deadly attacks in Borno State that left at least 25 people dead.
The senator’s appeal comes amid renewed violence in parts of southern Borno, where soldiers, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and civilians were among those killed.
According to relatives of the victims, the attack ranks among the deadliest in recent times and underscores the persistent threat posed by insurgents in the North-east.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Ndume condoled with the Theatre Command North East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), the CJTF and families of those who lost their lives during a confrontation with terrorists in Sabon Gari village, Damboa Local Government Area.
He also expressed sympathy with residents of Harang and neighbouring communities in Hawul Local Government Area, where a separate attack claimed one life and led to the destruction of homes and property.
Earlier, the Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, disclosed that troops neutralised several ISWAP fighters during the encounter and recovered arms and ammunition. However, the operation also resulted in casualties among soldiers of Sector 2, CJTF members and civilians.
It was gathered that many of the civilians killed were indigenes of Biu and casual labourers working on the Wajiroko Bridge along the Biu–Maiduguri–Damboa Road, which had previously been damaged by terrorists. Biu, Damboa and Hawul local government areas all fall within the Southern Borno Senatorial District represented by Ndume.
Describing the attacks as tragic, the senator urged the military not to be discouraged by what he termed “pockets of terrorist attacks,” but to remain resolute in ending the more than 16-year insurgency in the region.
“Let me commiserate with the troops of the Theatre Command North East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and the families of those killed during the encounter with Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in Sabon Gari village of Damboa Local Government Area,” Ndume said. “I urge the military, especially troops of OPHK, not to be deterred by these attacks but to remain committed and steadfast in order to end this protracted war.”
The former chairman of the Senate Committee on Army commended Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, the military and other security agencies for what he described as their unwavering sacrifices and sustained clearance operations in terrorist enclaves such as the Sambisa Forest, Timbuktu Triangle and the Mandara Mountains.
According to him, recent military operations in these areas have dealt “decisive blows” to Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters and their commanders over the past month.
Ndume prayed for the repose of the souls of fallen soldiers, CJTF members and civilians, and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
He also renewed his call on the federal government to further equip the armed forces with modern military hardware, including fighter jets and drones, to strengthen their operational capacity.
In addition, he advocated the prompt payment of all entitlements and benefits to families of security personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty and appealed to residents of Borno State and the wider North-east to support security agencies with timely and credible intelligence.
“The fight against terrorism should not be left to the government and security agencies alone. It requires the collective effort of all,” he said.
Borno State remains the epicentre of Nigeria’s long-running Islamist insurgency, with Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters continuing to target military formations, civilians and critical infrastructure despite ongoing counter-insurgency operations.
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