Ngoshe Needs Immediate Federal Presence, Ndume Pleads With Tinubu

Senator representing Borno South in the National Assembly, Ali Ndume, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to step up efforts to secure the release of over 400 residents of Ngoshe community in Gwoza local government area of Borno State, mostly women and children who were abducted last month by members of Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad (JAS), a faction of Boko Haram.

The federal lawmaker made the appeal  yesterday, while speaking with newsmen.

Checks revealed that the insurgents destroyed the entire community and the military posts in the community during the attacks and abductions.

Senator Ndume who recalled that the military has since recovered the community from the terrorist groups , urged the federal government to complement the Borno state government in resettlement of the displaced residents, whom he noted are willing to return to the community considering the military presence.

He said:”It is on record that the Nigerian Army had since recovered Ngoshe from the insurgents and now occupy it. Those who were lucky to have escaped from their villages now seek refuge in Pulka.

“It is appalling that those of us in authority at the Federal level have not met the expectations of our people in fulfillment of this sacred duty of securing lives and property, as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.

“We call on the Federal Government to take urgent and prompt actions to secure the release of over 400 residents of Ngoshe in captivity.

“We appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to set machinery in motion for the reconstruction of Ngoshe community which has been totally destroyed by the insurgents.

“The Federal Government should urgently support the Borno State government that has already released N100 million for immediate reconstruction, resettlement and rehabilitation of Ngoshe.

“The President should mandate its agencies like National Emergency Management Agency,( NEMA), the Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, ( FERMA) and the Ministry of Housing to move into Ngoshe community to support the State Government.

“From my interactions with the people, they have indicated their willingness to go back to Ngoshe immediately and live in improvised tents before their houses are re-built in Ngoshe. The people really wants to go back and live in camp in Ngoshe instead of Pulka.”

While commending what he called ” the gallantry of men and officers of the Nigerian Army who had exhibited unusual patriotism as they remain resilient not to surrender to the evil activities of the insurgents amidst the inadequacies of the Federal Government to meet their expectations in terms of Training; Equipments; Ammunitions & Motivation(TEAM), ” the former Chairman Senate Committee on Army, tasked the international community, particularly the United States of America to beam their searchlight on the three black spots in Borno State: Sambisa Forest, Mandara Mountains and Lake Chad region, axis acknowledged as haven of the terrorists from where they always launch their evil attacks on innocent citizens.

“We urge the Nigerian Armed Forces supported by United States Army to ensure that its actions are sustainable, not intermittent until the terrorists have been wiped out.

“Finally, I want to reiterate my advocacy on the adoption of what I call the TEAM. It means Training, Equipment, Ammunitions and Mobilization of the Nigerian Armed Forces to ensure maximum output from them.”

The lawmaker from Borno State further restated his call on President Tinubu to walk his talks on his last November declaration of Emergency on Security.

He said:” That proclamation which earned applause of Nigerians has since lost steam. Insurgents and bandits who got the message and receded have since returned to continue their attacks on helpless citizens.

“The President and Commander-in-Chief in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should reinvigorate its proclamation to convince Nigerians that this country will no longer be a safe haven for terrorists.”