₦airaland Forum

Senator Ali Ndume represents Borno South Senatorial District and is one of the highest-ranking senators in the Senate. In this interview, Ndume laments that the military lacks adequate equipment to fight Boko Haram insurgents with their sophisticated weapons. He commends President Bola Tinubu for declaring a state of emergency on security but tasks the president to step up his game in terms of provision of equipment and boosting the morale of the soldiers. Excerpts:


Recently, the soldiers fighting insurgency in your constituency reportedly recorded heavy casualties from an insurgent attack. What happened? What happened in Ngoshe is that the military there lacked the adequate equipment and ammunition, MRAPs. That is why they had to do a tactical withdrawal when the terrorists struck and then reassemble and come back to take Ngoshe. So, if they were adequately equipped, they wouldn’t have been dislodged because Nigerian army are very gallant; they are strong, determined young people. Some of them gave up their lives in the process as they stood firmly to fight.


Recently, you were quoted to have raised the alarm that Borno state and the entire North East mIght be taken over by terrorists if the military is not equipped by the federal government, can you explain more, any intelligence before you?


When you run out of ammunition and don’t have where to take cover, we have to tell government to do something about that, and I stand by my position. I worked closely with the army. Whenever I have intelligence, I share it with them; it’s not something that I will share on the pages of newspapers.If there is any information, I normally not only share it with the army and other security agencies in the country, but I talk with them one-on-one personally. I do share information with them. When I get information related to intelligence, I share it with them, I discuss it with them, and they always act on it. But as for the lack of adequate equipment and arms, it is still insufficient. The government is doing something, but what I’m saying is that it should do more so that the armed forces and other security agencies will be fully equipped to face this problem that we are having.

The army in Ngoshe and Pulka had to withdraw because they didn’t have enough arms, ammunition, and the right equipment, especially MRAPs and gun trucks, to face the insurgents. I still believe once they have the equipment and ammunition, they will be able to overcome this problem within the shortest possible time.

But the army around Ngoshe recently went back there and took over. But still, as they are now, they don’t have the adequate equipment or ammunition required for a task force battalion. The task force battalion requirement is known. We have enough soldiers now in Ngoshe, but they don’t have enough equipment to face the challenge. I’ve gone there myself. I’ve seen what they have.


You have commended the President on his efforts in tackling insecurity before now. What’s the issue now?

I will always commend him when he does well. Like now, he has declared a state of emergency on security. He has increased the number of army recruits. He has increased depots for training of soldiers; that is commendable. He has asked police to increase their recruitment. The DG, SSS has introduced the forest guard, and they are effective. But as I still said, once they don’t have the training, equipment, ammunition, and motivation, the task cannot be achieved.

Have you discussed these problems with the President?


I don’t have access to the President, but Mr. President has openly said that he reads everything Nigerians say on the media, and I am hoping that Mr. President will listen to this. I am hoping also that Mr. President will increase on what he is doing. I know some of the great works he has been doing, and I have been commending him, but when it’s not enough, you tell him it’s not enough.

Going forward, can we know some of the problems your constituents are facing from the terrorists?


One, Gwoza has been burned down to ground zero; they have been displaced, and they are living in a primary school in Pulka now; they are camping there. The government went and gave them relief materials. They are willing to go back, but their village or town has to be rebuilt for them to be able to go back. Then the soldiers there have to be equipped, trained, armed, and motivated to defend the people that will go back.

Are the people willing to go back, going by the fact that soldiers there lack adequate equipment?

The people are willing to go back because the soldiers on ground have reinforced the number of troops in Ngoshe right now. They have scavenged or they have drafted some from Pulka, from Gwoza, from Kirawa nearby to reinforce the number of troops on ground, and they are holding ground. But if you go and see even where they are living, which has been burned down, I met soldiers trying to construct temporary shelter. Some of them are made of grass and thatch for them to be able to put shelter on their head, where they will sit. They don’t have the equipment. They don’t have the ammunition. If they have all those things, Nigerian army are gallant, resilient, and strong to stand these terrorists. But you cannot face them with inferior equipment and arms because they come in with large arms. That’s why they dislodged the army, and it took the army about three days to reclaim that place.

What is the morale of the soldiers fighting the insurgents like?

Their morale is still high, but they are being demoralized because they don’t have equipment. If they have the equipment, they are ready. They don’t have MRAPs, they don’t have gun trucks, they don’t have other arms and ammunition required. If they have all these things, these ragtag terrorists cannot face the Nigerian army.

How many areas are affected by this insurgency within your constituency?

In my constituency, I can say my own area is most affected. That is Gwoza, especially Gwoza East and part of Gwoza West and Damboa Local Government. Biu Local Government, Hawul Local Government, and then Uba/Askira Local Government, Chibok Local Government. These are the areas that are around the Sambisa Forest and the Mandara Mountains. These two areas are most affected. And in Borno North, the Lake Chad area is affected, which affects Marte, Monguno, Kala/Balge, Gomborungala Local Government, Damasak Local Government—all those areas in the north that are around the Lake Chad Basin are also facing the same problem; all of them are facing the same issue, and that is lack of equipment and lack of ammunition, lack of adequate training, and lack of motivation. As I said, the salary of a private soldier is ¦ 100,000, which is just about $70 per month. Their feeding allowance is only ¦ 3,000 per day. These are not intelligence matters. These are facts on the ground. The President has to know that, and the only way I can have that message sent across to the President is through the media because having access to Mr. President is another problem.

What do you think should be the solution to this insurgency? How can it be brought to an end?

It can be brought to an end if the Nigerian army is well trained, well equipped, well armed, and well motivated. That I call TEAM: training, equipment, ammunition, and motivation. Once the Nigerian army and the other armed forces like supporting security agencies like SSS, like police, like forest guards—all of them—if they are well equipped, well trained, well armed, and well motivated, I assure you that our troops are gallant enough to execute this project within the shortest possible time. And most importantly again, the ground troops must be supported by air support. We don’t have enough attack helicopters. As I’m speaking to you now, we don’t have enough attack helicopters in all the black spots.

How is life in the areas affected by this insurgency?

Our people are very resilient. Even as I went to Gwoza, despite the situation, they are saying that they are ready to go back immediately if there is a conducive environment. The security agencies are there; all they need is arms, ammunition, motivation, and training. Once these are provided to them, they will be able to defend the communities. And once they have air support, the ground troops will be ready to move anywhere. There should be attack helicopters permanently located, particularly anywhere they have a brigade; they should be able to have an attack helicopter.

Authorities in Borno State may have made efforts to salvage the situation. How far have the efforts helped?

In fact, the governor is overstretching himself. That is to say, most of the resources of Borno State now are channeled towards providing the necessary support to the Nigerian army and other security agencies. The state governor has spent and is spending a lot of money in buying logistics, starting from Hilux vehicles, armored vehicles, and whatever in terms of food, in terms of logistics; the governor is doing his best. But it’s a state government; the resources are not enough to pay salaries, to take care of other things, so that’s why we are calling on the federal government to pay more attention.


https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/03/boko-haram-mr-president-terrorists-have-outgunned-our-troops-ndume/

Do we even have a president to begin with?

Ndume should go and rest.

What is the difference between Nigeria soldiers and terrorists?

madridguy:
Ndume should go and rest.

Don't mind him. As if we don't know his history it is likely the Nigerian political patronage system, under Jonathan, rescued Ndume from to then declare him "innocent" so he can return to his lifelong stay in legislative office of Nigeria.

Many Nigerian, bar those hate has destroyed their capacity to think critically, are gaining the sophistication to see beyond the taqiyyah of Ndume and co who have the power to tackle problems of terrorism, banditry and radical preaching in the North yet deliberately deflect blame elsewhere perhaps because they are part of the problem.

I am surprised Ndume and co have not blamed the failings of the Almajiri systems on Tinubu and even point at him for the terrorism engulfing the sub-saharan region of Africa precisely in the Sahel group of nations they are determined to make Nigeria a member of in their battle for jihad conquest across Africa.

https://allafrica.com/view/group/main/main/id/00017742.html

Even though it's harsh to say, I just hope henceforth, every president will start giving the Middle finger to every governor who can't protect their states.

Enough of playing politics with our security.

WizardOfNG:
Don't mind him. As if we don't know his history it is likely the Nigerian political patronage system, under Jonathan, rescued Ndume from to then declare him "innocent" so he can return to his lifelong stay in legislative office of Nigeria.

Many Nigerian, bar those hate has destroyed their capacity to think critically, are gaining the sophistication to see beyond the taqiyyah of Ndume and co who have the power to tackle problems of terrorism, banditry and radical preaching in the North yet deliberately deflect blame elsewhere perhaps because they are part of the problem.

I am surprised Ndume and co have not blamed the failings of the Almajiri systems on Tinubu and even point at him for the terrorism engulfing the sub-saharan region of Africa precisely in the Sahel group of nations they are determined to make Nigeria a member of in their battle for jihad conquest across Africa.

https://allafrica.com/view/group/main/main/id/00017742.html

loveth360:
What is the difference between Nigeria soldiers and terrorists?

The difference is that Nigerian soldiers risk and sacrifice their lives so you can live freely and go about your daily activities, including posting on social media. In contrast, terrorists seek to disrupt that freedom and make life unbearable for you.

Examples of such terrorist groups include Boko Haram, ISWAP, IPOB, and Lakurawa.

Watch as the government debunk this

Richtaiwo:
The difference is that Nigerian soldiers risk and sacrifice their lives so you can live freely and go about your daily activities, including posting on social media. In contrast, terrorists seek to disrupt that freedom and make life unbearable for you.

Examples of such terrorist groups include Boko Haram, ISWAP, IPOB, and Lakurawa.

You forgot to mention Oduduwa, OPC and Amotekum.



As for your claim that your Nigeria soldiers risk their lives for me, you are delusional.

madridguy:
Even though it's harsh to say, I just hope henceforth, every president will start giving the Middle finger to every governor who can't protect their states.

Enough of playing politics with our security.

So what is the job of your Nigeria president?

donleo92:
Watch as the government debunk this

What is their to debunk for anyone who knows the history of false, exaggerated and incendiary allegations from Ndume who is a consummate mischief-Maker and protector of the Hawkish North using his legislative position?

It is interesting only Ndume is making this claim and no one else. Same way he made noise about relocation of some offices of the CNN to Lagos from Abuja and was scaremongering over the then tax reform Bill claiming it is "anti North" when he had not even read it thoroughly. Dogara had to counter Ndume and his ilk.

I personally think Ndume understands his listening and reading audience to know he can always get alway with deceiving them for his own agenda which is always related to Arewa being more advantaged than the South.

Tinubu is working





Ndume is lying

The north keep breeding almajiris, who are easily recruited to join jihadists territorists groups, because of the poverty, joblessness and same ideology of jihad and sharia they were indoctrinated with in almajiri system.

madridguy:
Ndume should go and rest.

Go and rest abi but you'd come and cry to us when kwara and other SW state get attacked by these terrorists.

We go dey wait for you.

Tenses:
Go and rest abi but you'd come and cry to us when kwara and other SW state get attacked by these terrorists.

We go dey wait for you.

You should at least be at the requisite level of knowledge for others to consider engaging you.

What is the point, as an example, of arguing with someone who believes Kwara is a SW State? Is it because Yorubas are found in Kwara?

The SW has six States. Which out of the six below is Kwara?

Lagos.
Ekiti.
Ogun.
Oyo.
Ondo.
Osun.

WizardOfNG:
You should at least be at the requisite level of knowledge for others to consider engaging you.

What is the point, as an example, of arguing with someone who believes Kwara is a SW State? Is it because Yorubas are found in Kwara?

The SW has six States. Which out of the six below is Kwara?

Lagos.
Ekiti.
Ogun.
Oyo.
Ondo.
Osun.

You can continue in your self deception. The fulani did you dirt and took your land and to make you feel better they carried out the worst geographical heist ever known.


If Kwara is not in SW where then is Kwara?

the way this terrorist matter is being handled, Before this year runs out, terrorist will be a threat even to aso rock.
DSS and the police can handle this situation effectively with the right leadership

As I said, the salary of a private soldier is ¦ 100,000, which is just about $70 per month. Their feeding allowance is only ¦ 3,000 per day. These are not intelligence matters. These are facts on the ground. The President has to know that, and the only way I can have that message sent across to the President is through the media because having access to Mr. President is another problem.

Tenses:
You can continue in your self deception. The fulani did you dirt and took your land and to make you feel better they carried out the worst geographical heist ever known.


If Kwara is not in SW where then is Kwara?

Obvious you are one of those Obidients malevolently obsessed with Yorubas and always wishing ill on them so I don't expect you to respect formal geographical and administrative categorisation of Nigerian States.

Even as Kwara has Yorubas as it's largest ethnic group, it is formally, geographically and administratively a State in the North-Central region of Nigeria meaning SW administrative efforts, Amotekun for example, cannot operate there.

Continue fooling yourself.

Galactics:
Do we even have a president to begin with?

Valid question

He does not care about the people, except 2027.
Even at that, Tinubu will not be president beyond 2027 at most. Mark it and thank you fir paying attention to this matter.

WizardOfNG:
Obvious you are one of those Obidients malevolently obsessed with Yorubas and always wishing ill on them so I don't expect you to respect formal geographical and administrative categorisation of Nigerian States.

Even as Kwara has Yorubas as it's largest ethnic group, it is formally, geographically and administratively a State in the North-Central region of Nigeria meaning SW administrative efforts, Amotekun for example, cannot operate there.

Continue fooling yourself.

Simple question you come dey blow grammar.

See Mr. grammar, there's no such thing as north central. Show me any where in the world that has north central as a geographical location.

Don't let these terrorists fool you. Take back your land.

WizardOfNG:
You should at least be at the requisite level of knowledge for others to consider engaging you.
The SW has six States. Which out of the six below is Kwara?
Lagos.
Ekiti.
Ogun.
Oyo.
Ondo.
Osun.

Point of CORRECTION, South West have 5 states. Lagos, just like Abuja is not an ethnic nationallities' state. It is NO-MAN's land.
Buy your land, get your CofO and you are the OWNER for 99 years.

Validated:
Point of CORRECTION, South West have 5 states. Lagos, just like Abuja is not an ethnic nationallities' state. It is NO-MAN's land.
Buy your land, get your CofO and you are the OWNER for 99 years.

Yes na, SW will only have five State according to a Lagos-obsessed usurper and malevolent expansionist from the land where they have no respect for formal facts and just create their own out of thin air. Lol.

Yesterday, Tinubu and his gang gathered in Eagles Square to perfect their plans on how to retain power in 2027 and then finish what is left of you and your family kpatakpata.

Someone said that we are not wise enough to know that it is better to buy fuel N85 while politicians steal the money than to buy it at N1,300 while they still steal the money.

Tell me the lie in that?

Bola Tinubu claimed his government removed subsidy so that Nigeria will be better. Now, tell me what they have done with that money?

Take for instance the issue of borrowing, in his entire 8 years in Aso Rock, Buhari borrowed N75.26 trillion (less than 80 trillion)from various sources, including from China.

That was the subsidy era.

Now that subsidy is gone and we are saving trillions, Tinubu’s administration has taken borrowing to another level.

In the first 28 months of his administration, official report had it that he borrowed N98.65 trillion. I am hearing that as at today, that has risen to N153 trillion.

That is the government you are supporting.

I tell you the truth under God, and my spirit bears me witness, if Tinubu stays in Aso Rock beyond May 29, 2027 that is when you will see his true colour.

Everything you are seeing now and calling it shege is the best you will ever see because he needs your vote in 2027. Once that is over, then get ready for hell fire on earth.

For the sake of your children, say a huge "NO" to this incompetence and corruption masquerading as a government.

Ndume, you are terrorist yourself. We know you, so go and call your boys to order, if not, you can continue killing yourselves

Pls leave tinubu alone, master strategist is busy turning the country into second dubia.