Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Former Senate Leader and Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has urged President Bola Tinubu to intensify national efforts aimed at securing the release of more than 400 residents of Ngoshe community in Borno State who were reportedly abducted by Boko Haram insurgents last month.
Ndume made the appeal while speaking with journalists in Abuja, expressing concern over what he described as the continued vulnerability of communities in parts of the North-East despite ongoing military operations against insurgent groups.
He said the abducted victims are mostly women and children, adding that the scale of the abduction reflects the persistent security challenges facing rural communities in Borno State, where Boko Haram and its splinter factions have continued to carry out attacks and kidnappings.
According to him, the Nigerian Army has since recaptured Ngoshe from the insurgents and now maintains a presence in the area. He noted that displaced residents who escaped during the attack are currently taking refuge in Pulka, a nearby community hosting internally displaced persons.
Ndume called on the Federal Government to work closely with the Borno State Government to prioritize both the rescue of the abducted persons and the resettlement of displaced residents who are willing to return to their community.
He stressed that many of the affected residents have expressed a desire to go back to Ngoshe despite the destruction caused by repeated insurgent attacks, saying they prefer to rebuild their lives at home rather than remain in displacement camps.
The senator described the situation as deeply troubling and said it reflects a broader failure to fully meet constitutional responsibilities to protect lives and property, particularly in conflict-affected areas.
Ndume also appealed for urgent reconstruction efforts in Ngoshe, noting that the community suffered extensive damage during insurgent raids. He said rebuilding efforts should begin immediately to encourage safe return and stabilization of the area.
He further urged support for the Borno State Government’s reconstruction initiatives and commended the Nigerian Army for what he described as its resilience in reclaiming territories previously held by insurgents.
In addition, Ndume called on international partners, including the United States, to assist Nigeria in strengthening its counter-insurgency operations in the North-East, emphasizing that the scale of the security challenge requires both domestic and international cooperation.
The senator reiterated his long-standing advocacy for improved military capacity, referencing the need for what he described as the TEAM framework, which focuses on Training, Equipment, Ammunition, and Mobilisation to enhance the effectiveness of the armed forces.
He also urged President Tinubu to reinvigorate the federal government’s emergency response to insecurity, stating that the initial momentum of the security declaration appears to have weakened amid renewed attacks in parts of the North-East.
The abduction of large numbers of civilians in rural Borno communities has remained a recurring feature of the insurgency in the region, which has persisted for more than a decade. Thousands of people have been displaced over the years, with many communities repeatedly attacked despite military operations aimed at restoring stability.
Security analysts note that areas around the Sambisa Forest axis and surrounding border communities continue to serve as operational zones for insurgent groups, making rescue operations and sustained territorial control particularly challenging for security forces.
While the Nigerian military has made significant gains in reclaiming territories over the years, sporadic attacks and mass abductions continue to occur, particularly in remote settlements with limited infrastructure and security presence.
Humanitarian agencies have also warned that communities like Ngoshe remain highly vulnerable due to damaged infrastructure, limited access to basic services, and the psychological impact of repeated attacks on residents.
Ndume’s appeal adds to ongoing national discussions about the effectiveness of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency strategy and the need for a more comprehensive approach that combines military action with reconstruction, resettlement, and humanitarian support.
Authorities are yet to issue a detailed response to the latest call, but security operations are expected to continue in affected areas as efforts to locate and rescue abducted persons remain ongoing.
The situation in Ngoshe underscores the continuing security challenges in parts of Borno State, where communities remain caught between military operations and insurgent activity, with civilians often bearing the heaviest cost of the prolonged conflict.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments