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BORNO, Nigeria - Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has accused certain Nigerian politicians and military personnel of acting as informants and collaborators for Boko Haram insurgents.
He revealed this during an interview on News Central’s Breakfast Central, where he pledged to enhance the state’s intelligence network and take decisive action against saboteurs.
“We have informants and collaborators among the armed forces, politicians, and in the communities. Our plan is to strengthen our intelligence and handle these individuals ruthlessly. We must eliminate contractocracy.
Within six months, we can put an end to this chaos. Insecurity should not be politicized,” he emphasized.
Regarding surrendered insurgents, Zulum noted that while not all have fully reformed, the vast majority are contributing positively.
“I can’t claim that 100% of those who surrendered are behaving correctly, but I assure you that over 99% are doing well and not involved in ongoing terrorism,” he stated.
The governor reiterated the necessity for Nigeria to adopt both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to combat insurgency, reiterating that over 99% of repentant insurgents are no longer engaged in terrorist activities.
He asserted, “Kinetic measures alone will never completely eliminate insurgency. We need to ensure that non-kinetic strategies are also effectively implemented.”
Zulum explained that non-kinetic measures encompass the social, political, and economic aspects of the crisis.
He acknowledged that while not every one of the more than 500,000 repentant fighters may remain reformed, the process is largely effective. “Yes, I believe among the 500,000 or so who have repented, some might revert to insurgency,” he remarked.
He criticized the military's lack of equipment and claimed that insurgents possess a technological edge, stating, “The army lacks the essential resources to combat the insurgency.”
Nonetheless, the governor praised the Nigerian military for its support in peace-building initiatives. “I commend the Nigerian armed forces for their contributions to our non-kinetic efforts,” Zulum added.
He urged President Bola Tinubu to focus on grassroots intelligence and professional guidance from the military. “Immediate provision for forest guard is essential.
The President of Nigeria should heed the advice of those who can distinguish right from wrong. Insecurity must not be politicized.
The President must listen to those who can provide sound advice, particularly from the army,” he concluded.
