Ali Ndume, the senator representing Borno South in the National Assembly, has urged Bola Ahmed Tinubu to step up efforts aimed at securing the release of more than 400 residents of Ngoshe, a community in Gwoza, Borno State, who are currently being held captive by insurgents.
In a statement released on Monday, Ndume highlighted the aftermath of a recent attack on the community, during which insurgents reportedly destroyed homes and abducted a significant number of residents. Although the Nigerian Army has since recaptured the area, the humanitarian situation remains dire, with many survivors displaced.
He noted that those who managed to escape are currently sheltering in Pulka, while expressing concern that federal authorities have not done enough to meet their constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.
“It is on record that the Nigerian Army had since recovered Ngoshe from the insurgents and now occupies it. Those who were lucky to have escaped from their villages now seek refuge in Pulka.
“It is appalling that those of us in authority at the federal level have not met the expectations of our people in fulfillment of this sacred duty of securing lives and property, as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
“We call on the Federal Government to take urgent and prompt actions to secure the release of over 400 residents of Ngoshe in captivity.
“We appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to set machinery in motion for the reconstruction of the Ngoshe community, which has been totally destroyed by the insurgents.
“The Federal Government should urgently support the Borno State Government that has already released N100 million for immediate reconstruction, resettlement, and rehabilitation of Ngoshe.
“The President should mandate its agencies like the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), and the Ministry of Housing to move into the Ngoshe community to support the state government.
“From my interactions with the people, they have indicated their willingness to go back to Ngoshe immediately and live in improvised tents before their houses are rebuilt in Ngoshe. The people really want to go back and live in camp in Ngoshe instead of Pulka.”
Ndume also commended the efforts of the Nigerian Army, praising what he described as their dedication and resilience despite operational challenges.
He further called on the international community, particularly the United States Army, to focus attention on key areas in Borno State known for insurgent activity, including the Sambisa Forest, the Mandara Mountains, and the Lake Chad region.
“We urge the Nigerian Armed Forces, supported by the United States Army, to ensure that its actions are sustainable, not intermittent, until the terrorists have been wiped out.
“Finally, I want to reiterate my advocacy on the adoption of what I call the TEAM. It means Training, Equipment, Ammunition, and Mobilization of the Nigerian Armed Forces to ensure maximum output from them.”
