Senator Ali Mohammed Ndume, representing Southern Borno and Gwoza senatorial district, has alleged that some individuals are colluding with Boko Haram, passing information to the terrorists.
The senator said this as he debunked social media reports that his convoy was ambushed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.
Instead, he revealed that Cameroonian soldiers and motorists were targeted in the ambush on the Pulka-Kirawa road.
Ndume spoke at his Maiduguri residence after returning from a condolence visit to families of those recently killed by terrorists in Ngoshe, Kirawa, Ashigashiya, and other communities in Gwoza Local Government Area.
“On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, my humble self and other concerned stakeholders, with a convoy of military escort, were on our way to Ngoshe to condole with families of those who were killed by terrorists before proceeding to Kirawa,” Ndume explained.
The Senator continued, “After condoling with the people of Ngoshe, we took courage and proceeded to Kirawa despite the fact that there was an attack on the road the same day by terrorists. We reached Kirawa successfully, where we also condoled with the families of those killed by terrorists last week. We encouraged residents to be resilient and not to panic over the renewed Boko Haram attacks.”
Ndume clarified that the Kirawa road ambush targeted a Cameroonian Bureau De Change/businessman (Alhaji Kadi), who was killed alongside an unidentified woman, while others sustained injuries.
The Senator expressed concerns about collusion between some individuals and Boko Haram, stating, “I strongly suspect that some individuals are colluding with Boko Haram, passing information to the terrorists.”
Regarding the renewed Boko Haram killings, Ndume said, “Regarding the renewed Boko Haram killings, especially targeting farmers while harvesting their crops, I was reliably informed by the Village Heads of the affected Gwoza communities that almost half of the crops produced by resilient farmers in Ngoshe, Kirawa, Ashigashiya, and other surrounding communities around the Mandara Mountains were looted by terrorists, leaving local farmers frustrated and hungry.”
Ndume emphasized the need for better equipment and motivation for the military to combat Boko Haram effectively.
He said, “On a serious note, our military forces and the State Government under the leadership of Governor Babagana Zulum are doing well in tackling issues related to Boko Haram killings, but both have limitations. For instance, the federal government should equip our military forces, and arm and motivate them.”
He added, “I also spoke with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and he assured me that they will reinforce additional forces in Gwoza to enable farmers to harvest their hard-earned crops.”
Ndume concluded, “The military is determined and committed to ending Boko Haram’s madness, but this cannot be possible if they are not fully equipped, armed, trained, and motivated.”
