Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has made explosive allegations about the persistent Boko Haram insurgency, accusing influential politicians, members of the Nigerian armed forces, and local communities of acting as informants and collaborators for the terrorists under President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking during a breakfast show on News Central, Zulum expressed frustration over the unending war, particularly in Borno and the North East, and vowed to strengthen the state’s intelligence network to tackle saboteurs decisively.
“We have informants and collaborators within the Nigerian armed forces, within the politicians, and within the communities,” Zulum declared. “What we shall do is to strengthen our intelligence and deal with them ruthlessly. Let’s remove contractocracy. In six months, we can put an end to this madness. We need not politicize insecurity.”
The governor’s remarks follow his earlier concerns raised during a high-level security meeting in April, where he warned that Borno was losing ground in its fight against terrorism due to a resurgence of attacks. On Monday, May 19, Zulum appealed to Borno residents to observe a day of voluntary fasting and prayer to seek “divine intervention” in response to the escalating violence in the state and across Nigeria. “In light of our current security challenges, I am calling on all residents of Borno State to unite in a collective act of faith and solidarity,” he said.
During the News Central interview, Zulum highlighted critical deficiencies in the military’s capacity to combat insurgents, particularly their lack of advanced equipment. He noted that Boko Haram was leveraging technology to outmaneuver soldiers on the ground. Following a recent meeting with the Chief of Army Staff, Zulum revealed that the military required 32 drones, each costing approximately $5.5 million, to effectively counter the insurgency. “Why can’t we pull resources together to buy these drones and prioritize insecurity?” he questioned, urging both federal and state governments to unite in addressing the crisis.
Zulum also criticized the current procurement process for military equipment, advocating for direct government-to-government transactions to ensure value for money. “Let’s deal directly, government to government, so that we can get value for money, otherwise most of the contractors won’t buy the equipment if you give them money,” he said. He emphasized that with the right approach, the insurgency could be curtailed within six months.
The governor underscored the importance of combining kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to end the insurgency. “Insurgency will never be ended by kinetic measures alone,” he stated. “We must ensure that the non-kinetic measures are also properly put in place.” He explained that non-kinetic measures, encompassing social, political, and economic dimensions, have yielded positive results with the support of the Nigerian military. Zulum commended the armed forces for their role in supporting these peace-building efforts, noting their contributions to the state’s non-kinetic initiatives.
Addressing the issue of repentant insurgents, Zulum acknowledged that not all of the over 500,000 who have surrendered are fully reformed. “I cannot completely say that 100% of those people who have surrendered are doing the right thing, but I want to assure you that over 99% are doing well and are not participating in the ongoing terrorism,” he said. While he expressed confidence in the reintegration process, he admitted the possibility that a small fraction might return to insurgency. “I cannot rule out the possibility of fewer of them going back to the bush,” he added.
Zulum urged President Bola Tinubu to prioritize ground-level intelligence and heed professional advice from the military. “The forest guard should be provided immediately,” he said. “The President needs to listen to those who can differentiate their left from their right.” He called for stronger collaboration between federal and state governments, emphasizing that security must take precedence over political considerations. “Federal and state governments must come together so that we prioritize security. We need not politicize insecurity,” he reiterated.
In closing, Zulum reiterated his commitment to ending the insurgency through a combination of robust intelligence, decisive action against saboteurs, and investment in both military and non-military strategies. “If we want to do right, we can put ourselves together, and this madness will end within six months,” he asserted, appealing for unified action to restore peace in Borno and beyond.
