Federal lawmaker representing Borno South in the National Assembly, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, has urged the military and security agencies involved in Operation Hadin Kai to step up their efforts to eliminate the remaining Boko Haram militants hiding in the Sambisa Forest, Mandara Mountains, and along the border communities between Gwoza and Cameroon.
Ndume said the recent attacks by these terrorists are severely impacting the economic recovery of farmers who have recently returned to their homes in liberated areas such as Ngoshe, Kirawa, Warabe, Wala, Pulka, and Gwoza towns in Borno State.
He said the insurgents have been looting the farmers’ immature crops without facing any resistance.
Ndume, in a statement on Thursday, stated, “The resurgence of attacks by insurgents has created significant economic challenges for our resilient farmers who have been resettled in formerly liberated communities. The terrorists continue to plunder their crops without any confrontation.”
He appealed to the military and security forces to intensify efforts to eradicate the remnants of Boko Haram still lurking in the Sambisa Forest and Mandara Mountains, which straddle the border between Nigeria and Cameroon.
The former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army expressed his gratitude to Governor Babagana Zulum for his remarkable contributions to the rebuilding of approximately ten communities in Gwoza that had been devastated.
He also commended the military for their sacrifices in restoring civil authority in the region.
The lawmaker specifically praised the military for deploying a medical doctor who provides free medical services to over 10,000 residents of Ngoshe and surrounding areas who have returned to their ancestral homes.
During his visit to the Warabe community, Ndume distributed agricultural supplies, including bags of fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, and cash to thousands of farmers, particularly women and youth.
He also provided solar street lights and inspected land designated for the construction of 500 housing units for displaced individuals as part of Governor Zulum’s rebuilding initiative.
While acknowledging the community’s ongoing need for further development, Senator Ndume remarked, “Like Oliver Twist, we may ask for more, but to be honest, Zulum has exceeded our expectations.”
Additionally, the senator visited families mourning recent losses, offering them comfort and support during these difficult times, and was warmly welcomed by large crowds in all communities he visited.
Before heading to Gwoza, Ndume also distributed tricycles and other empowerment materials worth millions of naira to residents in his senatorial district at his residence in Maiduguri.