[BREAKING] Zulum Says: Military Failing To Repel Insurgents, DHQ Fires Back

The Federal Government and Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State on Tuesday differed over the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks in the state.......CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE>>>>>

While the governor claimed the state was losing ground to the terrorists, citing the recent attacks on military formations, killings and abductions of residents, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, argued the security agencies are working round-the-clock to bring the situation in parts of Borno State under control.

On March 24, Boko Haram militants launched attacks on two military formations in Borno State, targeting an army base in Wajirko, Damboa Local Government Area, and another in Wulgo, Gamboru Ngala Local Government Area.

Some of the insurgents were killed during the attacks while the troops were dislodged from their bases.

Also, at least two soldiers were feared dead, and others sustained injuries when a convoy, including the newly deployed Brigade Commander of ‘Operation Hadin Kai,’ struck landmines along the Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu road.

In January, at least 40 farmers were reportedly killed in the Dumba community in the Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State by suspected members of Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West African Province.

Also, many others were believed to have been kidnapped by the insurgents during the attack.

Referencing the attacks, and against the backdrop of his financial support for the military, the governor expressed dissatisfaction with the security situation in the state.

However, the information minister disagreed with the governor’s assertion, noting that the synergy in the operations of the security agencies, especially in the last two years, and the massive investment in hardware and other equipment underscored the seriousness with which the Federal Government attached to the issue.

He stated, ‘’The Tinubu administration is committed to eradicating acts of banditry and terrorism across the country. The successes achieved by the security agencies in the last 18 months are an indication that, indeed, Nigeria is gradually returning to normalcy.

“Government calls on all, especially the sub-national governments to join hands to ensure rapid eradication of the remaining pockets of criminal elements wherever they may be.’’

The Defence Headquarters, in its reaction, said troops are making a lot of sacrifices and doing their best to ensure peace returns to Borno and other troubled states in the country.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye said the efforts of the troops in the ongoing fight against terrorism should be commended.

He said, “The military is sacrificing a lot, and our efforts should be appreciated. We are doing our best. We are doing what we are supposed to do, and we are still doing it.”

But addressing the Special Expanded Security Meeting at the Government House, Maiduguri, on Tuesday, Zulum said his administration has been supportive of the military in the fight against Boko Haram and other terrorists, resulting in relative peace in the last three years.

In attendance at the meeting was the General Officer Commanding 7 Div, Major General Abubakar Haruna, Sector Commanders, Commissioner of Police, heads of other security agencies and traditional rulers.

Zulum said, “As I address this important gathering today, it is unfortunate that the renewed Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings in many communities almost on a daily basis without confrontation signalled that Borno State is losing ground.”

Zulum lamented that the recent attacks and dislodgment of military formations in Wajirko, Sabon Gari in the Damboa LGA, Wulgo in the Gamboru Ngala, and Izge in the Gwoza LGA, among others, and the killings of civilians and security operatives is a cause for concern.

He stated, “As you are all aware, my administration has been very supportive of the military and other security agencies in the fight against Boko Haram and other terrorists leading to relative peace in the last three years.

‘’It is disheartening to note the recent attacks and dislodgement of military formations in Wajirko, Sabon Gari in Damboa local government, Wulgo in Gamboru Ngala, Izge in Gwoza local government areas among other related killing of innocent civilians and security agencies calls for serious concern, and it is a setback in the fragile state of Borno and the North-East region”

He added, “In as much as Borno Government under my leadership commend the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the security agencies for their unwavering support in the fight against Boko Haram, more efforts have to be put in place through equipping and deploying of technological warfare to stem the tide of renewed attacks bedevilling parts of the sahelian Borno which shares international borders with three African countries of Chad, Niger and Cameroon.”

The Shehu of Borno, Abubakar El-Kanemi, hailed the security agencies, but emphasized that Guzamala, Marte, Abbadam LGAs and some parts of Mobbar LGA are still under Boko Haram’s control.

He said most of these communities are without civil authority while calling for proactive measures to tame the resurgence before it escalates.

Reacting to Zulum’s statement, Brig Gen Peter Aro (retd.) said the outcry by the governor is both timely and revealing.

He noted, “Coming from the chief executive of the state most affected by insurgency for over a decade, his admission that “Borno is losing ground” cannot and must not be ignored, especially when it starkly contradicts the Federal Government’s ongoing narrative that Nigeria is winning the war on terror.’’

Aro noted that Zulum’s assertion reflected the security realities, especially in the hinterlands of the state.

While strategic corridors and urban centres like Maiduguri have seen relative calm, the rural communities in Bama, Gwoza, Marte, Ngala, and Kukawa have continued to witness frequent attacks, abductions, and killings.

He added, “These are not just isolated incidents, they are part of a sustained offensive by terrorists who feel emboldened by local vulnerabilities and policy inconsistencies.

“If after over a decade of warfare, terrorists can invade communities, abduct school children, raid farmers, and block highways, then claims of victory are not only misleading, they are dangerous. There is no victory in propaganda while citizens die in silence.

“One of the reasons for their resurgence could be attributed to policy contradictions: Reintegration without consequences. What makes the situation more complex and tragic is the uncritical reintegration of “repentant” Boko Haram fighters into communities that still bear the scars of their atrocities.

‘’Under Governor Zulum’s administration, thousands of insurgents have been rehabilitated and returned to society with little to no accountability.

“Some of them even return to the same towns they once attacked. How can victims feel safe, or justice be done, when those who razed villages, raped women, and killed civilians are welcomed back with open arms and starter packs? Rehabilitation without consequences emboldens impunity. It is not restorative justice, it is political theatre.”

Aro called for punitive punishment for captured terrorists to deter would-be criminals.

Retired DIG Adedayo Adeoye said the alarm raised by the governor should not be treated with kid gloves.

He called for the deployment of air and ground troops in the state to stop the terrorists.

He said, “If a sitting governor is making such comments, we have to listen to him. I don’t believe he is telling lies. Remember, about two weeks ago, Senator Ali Ndume made a similar statement.

‘’Something has to be done, and it must be done real quick. The FG should deploy both ground and air troops massively to the state. “

Brig. Gen Bashir Adewinbi (retd) observed that the rise in Boko Haram attacks is politically motivated.

“What is happening regarding these attacks shows that there are political undertones to it. It’s just to make the government look like nothing is being done. Besides, we need to take decisive action.

‘’We also need to fortify our borders; they’re porous. Within the country, there are people harbouring terrorists; this is not what the military can solve immediately; the citizens also have their roles to play in curbing insecurity,” he counselled.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has charged the troops of 3 Division headquarters to intensify efforts in combating terrorism and other security challenges facing the country.

Addressing the troops in Jos on Tuesday, the army chief who has been in Plateau state since the past two days following the terrorist attacks in Bokkos communities that left over 50 persons dead, emphasized that without peace, there can be no development, and urged soldiers to be more dutiful and committed in their duties.

He stated, “Let me tell you that I appreciate what you are doing in 3 Division, Nigeria Army in checking all the challenges. The challenges are all over Nigeria. And I can tell you that the entire Nigeria and Nigerians are depending on us to curtail all these challenges. The challenges range from terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery and whatever name is called. I can tell you that Nigerians are looking up to us to make things better.

“And I want to emphasize here that if we don’t make things better, there cannot be any development. So, whether you are travelling and you are seeing bad roads, it’s all because Nigeria is challenged in terms of insecurity.

‘’So, the money that is being used to tackle the insecurity, if we can curtail these challenges, these monies can be channelled elsewhere by the government to make things better for all of us.

“So, what am I saying? It’s important for us to look at it from that angle and be more dutiful and be more committed as Nigerians and as soldiers, particularly so that we can do our jobs better.”

The COAS highlighted the need for soldiers to look beyond their immediate tasks and consider the broader impact of their work on the nation’s development.

He added, “When you look at our constitutional responsibilities and to support civil authorities to make things better and safer in Nigeria, then I charge you to do more, and it is imperative that you do more because without peace, there cannot be any development.

“So, as an army, we will try to lead you well and provide as much as possible based on what has been given by the government. I have the assurances of the government and the Commander-in-Chief to make things better for the army, and that he is doing and has promised to do more. So, on my own, I promise to do my best to make things better and on your own part, you must give your best to Nigeria. So, we have a covenant established.”

The COAS emphasized his commitment to improving soldiers’ welfare and well-being, citing initiatives such as a housing scheme and loan programmes.

He assured troops of the government’s support and commitment to making things better for the army.

“As Chief of Army Staff, I’m committed to making things better, your welfare and well-being, and that’s why you see me going around to make things better.

‘’There is something that has always been of concern to me since I was a Lt Colonel, and that is for me to see soldiers who have spent 35 years in the Army and by the time they are exiting, they don’t have a place to go. So, where my predecessors have stopped, we have continued with our housing scheme. We have commissioned the first set of 400 houses in Abuja.’’

Oluyede explained that the army was building estates in Benin and Ibadan.

The COAS directed the renovation of 10 blocks within the barracks and a school for soldiers’ children.

He challenged the Nigerian Army Corps of Education to develop an action plan to improve the state of schools.