Ndume Calls for Military Contractors to Combat Boko Haram Threat in Borno
By Matthew Eloyi
In a bold move to address the ongoing security challenges in Borno State, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume has urged President Bola Tinubu to consider hiring military contractors to help eliminate the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists.
Speaking to journalists from Benin Republic, where he is attending an ECOWAS Parliament engagement, Ndume praised the valiant efforts of the Nigerian military and the Civilian JTF but emphasised their need for additional support.
“They are ill-equipped to carry out the task of eliminating the remaining insurgents in the North-East,” he stated.
Highlighting global practices, Ndume noted, “All across the world, governments hire the services of military contractors to engage in certain places.”
He pointed out that countries such as the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, and France routinely employ these services in their military operations.
The senator’s call comes in the wake of a tragic incident where Boko Haram terrorists killed six farmers in Ngoshe, Gwoza local government area, and abducted five others, including women.
He lamented the impact on farmers, who are increasingly targeted and forced to abandon their harvests during a critical food crisis.
Ndume proposed that while hiring military contractors could serve as a temporary measure, the long-term solution would involve recruiting able-bodied Nigerian youths to bolster the military to at least one million personnel.
“These contractors will work with our military and Civilian JTF, who understand the terrain,” he explained, insisting that their expertise and equipment could significantly expedite the fight against Boko Haram and other bandits.
This latest call for action follows a recent attack that also claimed the life of Civilian JTF commander Jubril Dada Zarana, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced security measures in the region.
