Senator Mohammed Ndume (APC Borno South) has urged residents of Gwoza in Borno State to expose Boko Haram informants in their midst, saying the terrorists were carrying out attacks in the area through their collaboration.
Ndume made the call yesterday while addressing community leaders, youths and women from various communities in the area after a visit to the Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Mohammed Idrissa Timta and other stakeholders at the emir’s palace over the recent attacks in Yamtake, Ngoshe and Bita where seven civilians and seven soldiers were reportedly killed while several terrorists were eliminated.
He cautioned the people against fake news on Boko Haram attacks, such as was carried out last Friday by rumour peddlers who raised a false alarm that Boko Haram had invaded Gwoza town.
He reminded residents that what the terrorists could destroy in one hour could not be rebuilt in 20 years, and charged them to unite and rise up against them.
Ndume said he would have paid the visit after returning from the hajj in Mecca on hearing about the attacks, but was advised to suspend the visit for security reasons.
He encouraged the people to continue farming activities to cover what they were getting from non-governmental organisations that had withdrawn support due to the recent policy of United States President Donald Trump which shut down USAID’s activities.
“Rebuilding what has been destroyed will take years, but by the grace of God, we will not allow these miscreants to ruin what we have worked hard to establish. Let me be very clear, your highness, anyone found collaborating with the insurgents or leaking information to them should be dealt with and handed over to security agencies.
“We must take farming seriously. It is alarming that up to 14 million people are projected to face food insecurity, especially in areas that were once supported by international partners like USAID—support that was unfortunately affected by Trump’s policy shifts,” Ndume said.
He donated farm inputs to farmers and cash to 1000 youths, 500 elderly persons and 500 women, and commended women for being the front runners in farming activities in various communities. He urged youths and men to cooperate with soldiers and the civilian joint task force to protect farmers.
The Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Mohammed Idrissa Timta, thanked Ndume for the visit, noting that the senator’s frequent visits to Gwoza had been a source of encouragement to the people.
He expressed concern over the security situation in Kirawa, Yamtake, Ngoshe and Bita among others, saying the people would collaborate with the military and other security agencies in protecting farmlands and communities.
