Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has issued a grave warning regarding the infiltration of informants and collaborators supporting insurgents from within Nigeria’s military, political circles, and local communities.“We are aware that there are informants and collaborators within the Nigerian armed forces, among politicians, and in our local communities. Our response is to strengthen intelligence efforts and deal decisively with these threats,” Zulum stated during an interview on News Central’s Breakfast Central on Wednesday.
This disclosure introduces a crucial dimension to Nigeria’s ongoing counter-insurgency efforts, highlighting the importance of internal clean-up and heightened intelligence operations to effectively combat terrorism.
The governor, known for advocating both military and civilian strategies in addressing insecurity, emphasized that military action alone cannot end the insurgency in the North-East.
He remarked, “Kinetic measures alone will not eradicate insurgency. We must also implement effective non-kinetic strategies.”
By non-kinetic approaches, he refers to social, political, and economic initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of the crisis. He noted that these initiatives, supported by the Nigerian military, have produced encouraging results.
Zulum pointed out that although not all surrendering militants may be fully reformed, over 99% have abandoned terrorism and are integrating back into society.
“While I cannot claim that every surrendered individual is fully rehabilitated, I can confidently say that over 99% are no longer involved in terrorist activities and are making progress in reintegration,” he assured.
Additionally, he expressed concern over inadequate equipment within the Nigerian Army.
“The military currently lacks essential equipment to combat insurgents effectively. Insurgents are now leveraging technology against our soldiers. Recently, I met with the Chief of Army Staff, who mentioned the need for 32 drones to help end the insurgency—each costing approximately $5.<br>
5 million. It’s imperative that we pool resources to acquire these drones and prioritize security,” Zulum emphasized.
He also called for improved procurement processes for military hardware and software, suggesting government-to-government transactions to ensure value for money, rather than relying solely on contractors.
On security structures, the governor questioned the effectiveness of state police, advocating instead for the deployment of forest guards and stressing the importance of listening to military experts’ advice at the federal level.
“I believe forest guards should be established immediately. The President needs to heed the recommendations of professionals who understand these issues—not politicize them,” he said.
He concluded by urging national leaders to pay close attention to expert counsel, emphasizing that the fight against insecurity requires focused and informed leadership.