By Senator Ali Ndume has urged the Federal Government to adequately equip the Nigerian Army to combat insurgency and banditry, warning that Borno State and the wider North-East Nigeria risk being overrun by terrorists.
Ndume made the call after visiting Ngoshe and Pulka in Borno State alongside Governor Babagana Zulum, following coordinated attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province. The attacks reportedly led to the killing of soldiers and civilians, as well as the abduction of women and children.
“The military was initially overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the terrorist groups,” Ndume said, while calling on the Federal Government to provide sophisticated arms and ammunition.
In a statement issued to journalists in Abuja, he said:
“I am calling on the Federal Government to double its efforts in equipping the Army with sophisticated arms and ammunition.
“I gathered that our soldiers lacked adequate ammunition and had to withdraw from Ngoshe and Pulka because the terrorists overwhelmed them. It was only days after reinforcements arrived that they regained control of the area.”
Ndume praised Governor Zulum for visiting the affected communities and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, and urged federal intervention to rebuild destroyed communities and support displaced persons.
He further described Ngoshe as having been “brought down to ground zero,” noting that only a small mosque remained standing, while commending the Nigerian Army for retaking the area.
“That is what I saw. The destruction is complete. There is nothing left standing except one small mosque. The people are resilient, and the governor is determined to rebuild Ngoshe. There is an urgent need for Federal Government intervention,” he said.
Ndume added that he would engage his colleagues at the National Assembly to raise a motion in both chambers, while urging the Federal Government to intervene quickly to support affected communities.
