Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume, has stated that Nigeria’s insecurity challenges could be effectively addressed within six months if the Federal Government demonstrates genuine commitment and urgency.
Ndume made the remark on Monday during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television, where he raised concerns over escalating violence in the North-East region.
According to the lawmaker, decisive leadership, improved military capacity, and strong political will are critical to ending the crisis.
“It is not about complaining… If the President and the Federal Government of Nigeria are serious about this, we can end this insecurity in six months,” he said, stressing the need to better train, equip, and motivate soldiers.
Ndume also expressed alarm over the continued loss of military personnel, including senior officers, describing the trend as a sign of deeper operational shortcomings. He noted that inadequate equipment and low troop morale remain major challenges facing the military.
Recent attacks have underscored these concerns. A report indicated that Brigadier General Oseni Braimah was killed during a terrorist attack on a military base in Benisheikh, while a colonel and several soldiers were also reportedly killed in separate incidents involving Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.
The senator attributed the worsening situation to the inconsistent execution of security strategies and urged authorities to align actions with rhetoric. “We have to be very serious about this matter; we have to walk the talk,” he said.
On foreign assistance, Ndume emphasised the importance of intelligence sharing, advanced technology, and specialised expertise rather than reliance on external military forces. He highlighted the country’s limited drone capabilities and called for increased adoption of technology-driven solutions, pointing to developments in Burkina Faso as an example.
He also advocated the expanded use of surveillance systems, particularly in conflict-prone areas like Borno, noting that modern cameras and drones could significantly improve monitoring and response efforts.
Ndume further commended Babagana Zulum for his role in stabilising parts of the state, adding that the situation could have deteriorated further without the governor’s interventions.
