Boko Haram: Senate urges military to free region under threat, attacks

BORNO, Nigeria  —The Senate, has called on the Nigerian military to deploy personnel to reclaim Abadam and Marte Local Government Areas in Borno State, and other region under severe Boko Haram threat and attacks.

While acknowledging the military significant feat in combating insurgence, the Senate expressed concern over the lingering presence of Boko Haram invasion in two local government area in Borno state.

This resolution was sequence to 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 said the region had been faced with 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.

Monguno stressed that the insecurity in these areas had caused severe hardship, disrupted local economies, and hindered infrastructure development.

Backing the motion, Senator Ned Nwoko (PDP – Delta North) called for national dialogue to address the root cause of insecurity in the state and cou try at large.

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.

The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, called on security forces to restore peace to the affected areas.

The Boko Haram insurgency is a violent conflict between a militant Islamist group and the Nigerian government that began in 2009 with the aim to rid Nigeria of corruption and injustice, and to establish an Islamic state in the region.

The insurgency has had a significant impact on the lives of people in Nigeria, including: displacing hundreds of thousands of people from their homes, compounding food and nutrition insecurity, aiding the spread of infectious diseases , denying access to education for millions of children and youths among others