Mohammed Ali Ndume, Senator representing Borno South, is urging President Bola Tinubu to consider hiring military contractors to combat Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State. Despite acknowledging the Nigerian military and Civilian JTF’s efforts, Ndume believes they lack the necessary equipment to eliminate the remaining insurgents in the North-East.
Ndume suggests that military contractors, who have worked with superpowers like the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, and France, could provide temporary support. These contractors would collaborate with local forces familiar with the terrain and bring essential equipment and hardware to swiftly eliminate Boko Haram terrorists.
The Senator’s call to action follows the recent killing of six farmers and abduction of five others, including women, by Boko Haram terrorists in Ngoshe, Gwoza local government area. This incident highlights the ongoing struggle against terrorism in the region, where farmers are regularly targeted and forced to abandon their harvests amidst a severe food crisis.
Ndume proposes that, in the long run, recruiting able-bodied Nigerian youths could increase the military force to at least one million. However, he emphasizes that hiring military contractors would provide immediate relief.
This development comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with the 13-year war against jihadist groups in the northeast, resulting in over 350,000 deaths and 2.5 million displaced individuals. The international community has raised concerns about alleged human rights violations by the Nigerian military, calling for thorough investigations.
