Babagana Zulum, the governor of Borno State, has claimed that certain Nigerian military personnel and politicians are assisting Boko Haram rebels by serving as informants.
In an interview with News Central’s Breakfast Central on Wednesday, Zulum revealed the information and promised that the government will bolster its intelligence apparatus and combat saboteurs “ruthlessly.”
“In the Nigerian military, among politicians, and among communities, we have informants and accomplices. Our plan is to bolster our brains and confront them with brutality. Let’s do away with contractocracy. We can stop this madness within six months. “Insecurity does not have to be politicized,” he stated.
Speaking about the problem of insurgents who have surrendered, Zulum said that although not all of them have completely changed, the vast majority are making constructive contributions.
“I want to reassure you that over 99% of those who have surrendered are doing well and are not taking part in the ongoing terrorism, but I cannot say that 100% of those people are doing the right thing,” Zulum stated. The governor reiterated that Nigeria must use both kinetic and non-kinetic tactics to combat insurgency, pointing out that more than 99 percent of militants who have changed their ways are no longer engaged in terrorism. He emphasized that insurgency could never be completely eradicated by military force alone. He emphasized that insurgency could never be completely eradicated by military force alone.
“Kinesthetic measures alone will never end insurgency,” he said. We have to make sure that the non-kinetic measures are implemented correctly as well.The social, political, and economic aspects of the crisis are what I mean when I refer to non-kinetic measures. The Nigerian military has helped us achieve success with our continuous non-kinetic efforts. Although he admitted that not all of the more than 500,000 combatants who have repented will remain so, he thinks the system is mostly functioning.
“Yes,” he responded, “I think there is a chance that fewer of the 500,000 or more who have repented will go back to the bush.”
“The army doesn’t have the necessary equipment on ground to fight the insurgency,” he said, criticizing the military’s lack of equipment and accusing the insurgents of possessing a superior technological advantage. Nonetheless, the governor praised the Nigerian military’s contribution to peacebuilding initiatives. “I would like to express my gratitude to the Nigerian military for their assistance with our non-kinetic measures,” Zulum stated. He advised President Bola Tinubu to heed competent military counsel and intelligence from the ground. “The forest guard will be sent out right away. Those who are able to distinguish between the left and the right should be heard by the president of Nigeria.
“Insecurity shouldn’t be politicized. The President should pay attention to those who can advise him appropriately. “The army should be heard by the president,” he said.