Babagana Zulum, the governor of Borno State, alleged yesterday that some politicians and members of the armed forces act as informants and collaborators for Boko Haram insurgents.
The governor, who made the allegation in an interview on News Central’s Breakfast programme, also said the Nigerian Army lacks requisite equipment to fight terrorists, noting that devoid of politics, Boko Haram can be wiped out in six months.
Zulum spoke on a day Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said some of the terrorists and bandits terrorising the country are not Nigerians, even as the Senate warned that insurgency could spread to other parts of the North, if it was not checked now.
Speaking during the interview, the Borno governor vowed that the state will strengthen its intelligence network and deal with saboteurs “ruthlessly.”
He said: “We have informants and collaborators within the Nigerian armed forces, among politicians, and within the communities. What we shall do is strengthen our intelligence and deal with them ruthlessly.
“Let’s remove contractocracy. In six months, we can put an end to this madness; we need not politicise insecurity.’’
Addressing the issue of surrendered insurgents, Zulum stated that while not all who surrendered had reformed fully, the overwhelming majority were contributing positively.
“I cannot completely say that 100% of those people who have surrendered are doing the right thing, but I want to assure you that over 99% are doing well and are not participating in the ongoing terrorism,” Zulum said.
He reaffirmed the need for Nigeria to embrace both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies in tackling insurgency, noting that over 99% of repentant insurgents were no longer involved in terrorism.
While also stressing that military force alone would never bring about a total end to insurgency, he stated: “Insurgency will never be ended by kinetic measures alone. We must ensure that the non-kinetic measures are also properly put in place.
“What I mean by non-kinetic measures is social, political, and economic dimensions of the crisis. Our ongoing non-kinetic measures have yielded positive results with the support of the Nigerian military.”
He acknowledged that not all 500,000-plus repentant fighters might stay reformed, but believed the system is largely working.
“Yes, I believe among the 500,000 or more that have repented, I cannot rule out the possibility of fewer of them going back to the bush,” he said.
He criticised the lack of equipment for the military and accused insurgents of having a superior technological advantage.
Governor Zulum, however, commended the military’s role in supporting peace-building efforts.
“I want to commend the Nigerian Armed Forces for the support they have been rendering to our non-kinetic measures,” Zulum said.
He urged President Bola Tinubu to pay attention to ground-level intelligence and professional advice from the military.
“We should not politicise insecurity. The President needs to listen to the people who can tell him the right thing. The President should listen to the Army.
“We must prioritise security. National and sub-national governments must pool resources together to procure equipment.
“The Army does not have the necessary equipment on ground to fight insurgency. Right now, the insurgents are using drones to fight soldiers on the ground.
“A few days ago, I visited the Chief of Army Staff. He said he is looking for about 32 drones and he would end the insurgency.
“My plea is that let us deal with this matter decisively. The president of Nigeria should listen to those that can distinguish between the right and wrong. Those that can tell him the right thing and not sycophants.
“He needs to understand what is happening on the ground. A few days ago, I said there is insurgency in Borno State. I commended the Federal Government for doing very well and that we should come together to resolve the issues.
“Some people said there is no insecurity in Borno State. We should not politicise insecurity,’’ Zulum said.
On state police debate, the governor said the existing security apparatus should be strengthened, rather than create a new policing system.
Borno State is the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency, which has led to the death of more than 50,000 people, and the displacement of millions from homes since 2009.
Recall that Governor Zulum had last Sunday, begged the Federal Government not to allow Marte, the only local government free of Boko Haram control, fall to the insurgents.
Speaking to journalists in Maiduguri, the governor had said: “Marte was resettled about four years ago but unfortunately, over the last three days, it was ransacked and displaced again.
‘’About 20,000 people left Marte for Dikwa. This huge number poses a threat, as allowing them to stay in the camp may make many of the younger ones vulnerable to recruitment by the insurgents.
“We returned to marte yesterday (Saturday) and spent the night there, with the support of the Nigerian Army and our volunteers. The community has now been resettled for the second time. Still, my appeal to the Federal Government and the Nigerian Army is that we do everything possible to maintain this town on the ground.
“Hitherto, Marte Local Government Area comprised over 300 towns and villages. Now, we have only one remaining. If we cannot maintain this one, then we risk losing the entire local government area to the insurgents, which would be very disastrous. I believe we must not allow this to happen.
‘’Therefore, I am calling on the Federal Government and the Nigerian Army to work together with us to hold our ground and ensure this single town in the LGA remains.”
