With political will Nigeria can end insecurity in six months – Ndume
●“We have to be serious; we have to walk the talk,” he urges
The Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has blamed the intractable insecurity crisis in the country on the Federal Government’s lack of sufficient commitment to ending it.
Ndume, whose state has been at the epicentre of terrorism in the country, said pointedly that Nigeria’s protracted security crisis could be resolved within six months if the Federal Government took the right steps to squelch it.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today,’ Monday, 13th April, the ranking lawmaker expressed deep concern over the recent spike in violence, particularly in the North-East, urging the government to move beyond rhetoric.
“It is not about complaining… I always believe that if the President and the Federal Government of Nigeria are serious about this, we can end this thing in six months,” Ndume stated. “All we need is to train our soldiers, equip them, arm them very well, and then motivate them.”
He lamented the recurring loss of high-ranking military personnel, citing a recent incident in Northern Borno where a colonel and several soldiers reportedly lost their lives. He argued that these tragedies highlight significant operational gaps and inconsistent strategy implementation.
“The escalating security situation has been fueled by actions that are never fully carried through,” Ndume remarked. “We have to be serious; we have to walk the talk.”
Addressing the need for foreign assistance, Ndume clarified that Nigeria does not require external boots on the ground, but rather advanced technology and specialised expertise.
He identified areas that needed special attention to include:
enhanced Intelligence; utilising special forces already trained for high-stakes operations; and increasing the deployment of drones, similar to strategies used in Burkina Faso.
Other such areas, Ndume added, were: establishing robust command centres to coordinate tech-driven strikes, ensuring soldiers are adequately compensated and equipped to face insurgents.
He praised the resilience of Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, noting that the state would have faced even greater devastation without the Governor’s proactive interventions.
Ndume’s critique comes as Nigeria grapples with a fresh wave of insecurity. A recent airstrike at Jilli Market on the Yobe–Borno border has drawn intense scrutiny following reports of civilian casualties.
While the Nigerian Air Force maintains the strike targeted Boko Haram insurgents, an investigation into the civilian deaths is currently underway.
This incident followed a Thursday attack on a military formation in Benisheikh, where troops successfully repelled insurgents but sustained casualties in the process.
Despite the persistent threats of banditry, kidnapping, and communal clashes nationwide, President Bola Tinubu recently reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to overhauling the national security architecture during a visit to Bayelsa State.
However, international concerns appear to be rising. The United States Department of State recently issued updated travel advisories and began reducing staff at its Abuja embassy. The Federal Government has downplayed these moves, describing them as “routine precautions” rather than a true reflection of the country’s security status. Critics would disagree as such claims do not reflect the reality on ground as hardly any week passes in the recent past without news reports of incidents of banditry, terror or kidnapping in the country.
