Ndume laments killings in Borno, calls for armed community defence

Mohammed Ndume, senator representing Borno south, has lamented the rising killings in the state, saying civilian joint task force members and vigilantes carrying dane guns and sticks cannot effectively complement the military.

His comment followed Friday night’s attack in Darajamal, a community in Bama LGA, which left 58 civilians and five soldiers dead.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, Ndume called for the deployment of technology, equipment, arms, ammunition, and motivation in the fight against insurgency.

He also advocated the establishment of an armed community defence unit to support the military.

“In the past few months, several communities in Borno South, North, and Central Senatorial Districts remained under siege by Boko Haram/ISWAP, which remains worrisome.

“Let me therefore, use this opportunity to advocate for the setting up of Armed Community Defence to complement efforts of the Military.

“This is because men of the Civilian Joint Task Force, CJTF, hunters and vigilantes have been doing their best, but they have limitations, as they only carry dane guns, sticks, which they find very difficult to confront the terrorists,” he said.

Ndume urged the federal government to prioritise the security and welfare of Nigerians.

“More so, I want to reiterate my calls on the Federal Government and the Nigerian Military to deploy technology, equipment, arms and ammunition, motivation, and TEAAM, which is the only way to end the over-decade Boko Haram atrocities in Borno, the Northeast, and other parts of the country,” he added.

He appealed to residents to continue cooperating with the military and other security agencies, particularly by sharing information on terrorist operations.

Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno, during a condolence visit to Darajamal on Saturday, also raised concerns over military manpower, calling for the deployment of newly trained forest guards.

“We have to take note that the numerical strength of the military is not enough to cover everywhere, so far so good, two sets of forest guards have been trained. Therefore, one of the solutions that we need to implement immediately is to deploy the trained forest guards to most of the locations that are vulnerable, they will protect the forest and communities,” Ndume said.

Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN) has condemned the killing of at least 63 people in Darajamal by suspected Boko Haram militants.

The attack also led to the destruction of over 20 houses, vehicles, food items, and other valuables belonging to resettled internally displaced persons (IDPs).

In a statement on Sunday, Mohamed Fall, UN humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, described the incident as appalling and urged authorities to arrest the perpetrators.

“Preliminary reports indicate that more than 50 civilians were killed when suspected members of a non-state armed group attacked Darajamal. An unknown number of people were also abducted, with others fleeing with injuries. At least 28 houses were reportedly burned,” Fall said.

He extended condolences to the families of victims and the people of Borno, while calling for the immediate release of abducted residents.