ABUJA — Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has urged President Bola Tinubu to rely solely on military intelligence and avoid sycophantic advice in order to decisively end the ongoing insurgency in the North-east.
Speaking on News Central TV, Governor Zulum criticized the federal government’s slow and bureaucratic military procurement process, which he believes is prolonging the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents.
According to Zulum, Nigeria could eliminate terrorism within six months if the federal government dismantles what he called “contractocracy”—a system that, he claims, prioritizes contractor profits over national security interests.
“We must remove contractocracy. In six months, we can end this madness,” Zulum said, urging direct government-to-government arms procurement rather than using middlemen.
The governor highlighted the escalating crisis in Borno, revealing that over 80,000 people have been displaced from Marte Local Government Area due to renewed insurgent attacks. He emphasized that both kinetic and non-kinetic solutions—ranging from economic development to enhanced intelligence—are essential to ending the conflict.
Fresh Boko Haram Attacks Spark Senate Action
The Nigerian Senate has also raised alarm over fresh waves of attacks in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states. In a motion presented by Senator Aminu Iya Abbas (Adamawa Central), lawmakers recounted multiple recent attacks that left dozens dead and entire communities in ruins.
Key incidents include:
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February 25: Homes and schools torched in Kwampre and Zar
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April 15: Five killed in Banga and Lar
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April 26: Eleven vigilantes murdered in a defense attempt
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May 16: Sixteen residents killed in Kulda community, Hong LGA
Senator Mohammed Monguno (Borno North) also voiced concerns over the diversion of military focus from the North-east to the North-west, warning it could jeopardize hard-won security gains.
The Senate has urged the federal government to:
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Reinforce military deployments in affected North-east areas
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Provide emergency relief via NEMA
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Address root causes through better resource coordination between federal and state authorities
Zulum Calls for Forest Guards and Stronger Civilian Task Force
While rejecting state police, Governor Zulum endorsed the federal government’s plan to deploy forest guards, recommending recruitment from within impacted communities. He also accused certain politicians and military officers of colluding with insurgents, warning that such internal sabotage must be addressed.
“We will strengthen intelligence and deal ruthlessly with collaborators,” Zulum declared.
The governor stressed the need to combine military efforts with socio-economic interventions to prevent the re-radicalization of the over 300,000 former insurgents who have surrendered.
Legislation to Formalize Informal Sector Advances in Senate
Separately, the Senate passed a bill to regulate employment in Nigeria’s informal sector through private agencies. Sponsored by Senator Musa Sani, the bill aims to formalize the employment of domestic workers, apprentices, and interns through licensure and oversight by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).
Senator Adams Oshiomhole supported the bill, citing widespread third-party recruitment practices and the lack of formal protections for low-level workers.
