Senator Ali Ndume, representing Southern Borno, has argued that former President Goodluck Jonathan effectively dealt with the insurgency by hiring Private Military Consultants (PMCs) from South Africa.
Ndume spoke to journalists at a recent Senate retreat focused on reviewing the 1999 constitution.
He reflected on the period when Jonathan’s administration successfully pushed Boko Haram out of Maiduguri in 2014.
“I have been Chairman of the House Committee on Army,” Ndume said. “I am from Borno State where it all started.”
He emphasized that Nigeria faces three major security challenges: Boko Haram, banditry, and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
“All these can be addressed if the government is serious,” he added.
Ndume believes these issues could be resolved within six months to a year.
He criticized the current handling of security, stating that many of the bandits are not properly trained or equipped.
“Most of the equipment they use comes from what they have taken from our armed forces,” he explained.
Ndume pointed to the advancements in technology, questioning why it is difficult to locate criminals like Turji.
“There is something fundamentally wrong there,” he stated.
He commended the Chief of Army Staff for speaking out about the limited resources available to secure the country’s population of 230 million.
“Recruiting more people into the Nigerian Army is essential,” he said.
Ndume noted that many youths are willing to serve but lack opportunities and encouragement.
“Our youths are losing faith in the country,” he warned.
He highlighted a concerning trend: young people are risking their lives to migrate to other countries, sometimes to become victims of human trafficking.
During his remarks, Ndume recounted how Jonathan’s engagement with PMCs was crucial in the fight against Boko Haram.
“Boko Haram reached its last peak in 2014,” he said. “Somebody advised Jonathan to engage PMCs.”
These consultants were given a short timeline to clear Boko Haram, and they succeeded.
“When the consultants came, they collaborated with the Nigerian armed forces and recruited youths from the civilian JTF,” he explained.
This collaboration led to significant successes, forcing Boko Haram to retreat from Maiduguri.
“Alhamdulillah, it has gone down in Maiduguri to three spots: Lake Chad region, Mandara mountain, and Sambisa,” he noted.
He believes that with enough personnel and the right equipment, Boko Haram could be eliminated entirely.
However, Ndume expressed frustration with the inability of current military leaders to capture notorious figures like Turji.
“These bandits even record themselves and broadcast it,” he said, yet security forces fail to act.
He asserted that enhancing the Nigerian Armed Forces’ capabilities is essential to combating the current security challenges.
“Modern technology will go a long way in tackling banditry,” he stated.
Ndume praised the Nigerian army’s skills but lamented the lack of personnel and equipment.
“If you give them what it takes and set a deadline, they will achieve results,” he claimed.
He also emphasized that the army needs special forces and appropriate contracts to tackle these issues effectively.
Ndume expressed concern that Boko Haram possesses more sophisticated weapons than the Nigerian army.
“I have not yet seen a Nigerian army formation with enough new AK-47s or AK-49s,” he pointed out.
He observed that new equipment is only seen in limited contexts, such as in Abuja.
“We need to concentrate on the security and welfare of citizens,” he urged.
He warned against superficial solutions to Nigeria’s problems.
“There is hunger in the land. We have not cultivated 5 percent of our lands,” he stressed.
