The Senate, on Thursday, called on the Nigerian military to deploy sufficient personnel to reclaim Abadam and Marte Local Government Areas in Borno State, reportedly under the control of Boko Haram insurgents.
During Thursday’s plenary, the Senate acknowledged the significant sacrifices made by the military in combating insurgency but expressed concern over the lingering presence of Boko Haram in the two LGs.
This resolution followed a motion presented by Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC – Borno North), titled “Need to Deploy Adequate Security Personnel to Endangered Local Government Areas in Borno State.”
Senator Monguno highlighted the challenges Borno State had faced due to prolonged insurgency, commending the efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces in restoring relative peace.
However, he raised concerns about the lack of civil authority and military presence in Guzamala, Abadam, and Marte LGAs, which are predominantly agricultural communities.
Marte, in particular, is known for large-scale wheat and rice production.
Monguno stressed that the insecurity in these areas had caused severe hardship, disrupted local economies, and hindered infrastructure development.
He warned that the absence of security personnel might embolden insurgents to target surrounding communities, potentially reversing the gains made in securing the state.
Backing the motion, Senator Ned Nwoko (PDP – Delta North) emphasised the need for a national dialogue, led by the National Assembly, to understand the root causes of insecurity.
He argued that relying solely on military hardware like attack helicopters was insufficient, urging the government to create platforms for inclusive discussions involving all Nigerians.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC – Edo North) highlighted the need for effective legislative oversight, particularly concerning defence procurements.
He criticised the purchase of Tucano jets instead of attack helicopters, attributing the oversight failure to a lack of scrutiny.
Senator Ali Ndume (APC – Borno South) pointed out that while there was a task force operating in the Chad region, low morale among personnel remained a significant challenge.
He emphasised the importance of motivating security operatives and criticised the allocation of funds to non-critical areas amid the insecurity crisis.
The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, thanked Senator Monguno for the motion and commended the military for their sacrifices.
He called on security forces to restore peace to the affected areas, noting the international dimension of insecurity. Barau also praised President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to address the issue on the global stage.
In its resolution, the Senate mandated its Committees on Army and Air Force to ensure the implementation of its call for reinforced security in Abadam and Marte LGAs.