Boko Haram: Senate Seeks Speedy Military Deployment to Borno, Yobe

By Adedapo Adesanya

Amid the resurgence of attacks by Boko Haram in Borno and Yobe States, the Senate on Tuesday asked the military to urgently redeploy personnel and advanced equipment to tackle terrorists in the areas.

The resolution followed the recent killing of over a dozen soldiers in Marte town of the Monguno Local Government Area on Monday, May 12, and a subsequent assault early Tuesday on Gajiram, the headquarters of the Nganzai Local Government Area.

In a motion raised by the Senate Chief Whip, Mr Tahir Munguno, lawmakers claimed while two-thirds of the local government areas in Borno were once under Boko Haram control, collaborative efforts between the Nigerian military and civilian joint task force had successfully reclaimed the territories.

They, however, said the restored peace has led to a relocation of the tactical command to the North-West, where the military is combating kidnapping and banditry.

Expressing concern over the militants’ evolving tactics, Mr Munguno highlighted the use of modern technologies by the group, including drones and an increase in the deployment of improvised explosive devices, which have led to high civilian and military casualties, disrupting transportation networks.

The Senate urged the military high command to swiftly redeploy sufficient troops to the North-East and ensure they are adequately equipped with modern technology to effectively combat the renewed threat, as well as mandate the committees on the army and air force to monitor and ensure compliance with this directive.