Following the killing of 12 soldiers by Boko Haram insurgents in Marte, Borno State, the Nigerian Senate has called on the military to urgently deploy more troops to the North-East.
Lawmakers emphasized the need for the armed forces to be furnished with modern equipment and advanced technology to effectively counter the growing threat of Boko Haram in the region.
Additionally, the Senate instructed its Committees on Army and Air Force to monitor and ensure that the military fully complies with these directives.
These decisions were reached on Tuesday during plenary, after a motion titled “The Resurgence of Boko Haram in Borno and Yobe States” was raised by Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno) and supported by his colleagues from the two states.
While presenting the motion, Monguno recounted how Boko Haram once held control over the majority of Borno’s local government areas.
He acknowledged the joint efforts of the military and Civilian JTF in reclaiming those areas, leading to a period of relative peace.
However, he noted that the military later shifted its operations to the North-West due to rising banditry, leaving the North-East vulnerable once again.
He disclosed that the attack on May 12 in Marte, where over a dozen soldiers lost their lives, is a troubling sign of Boko Haram’s renewed strength.
Monguno warned that the terrorist group is now using modern warfare tactics, such as drones and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), to target villages and recently resettled communities, often resulting in mass casualties and road blockages.
He urged for a full-scale return of military operations to Borno and Yobe, stressing that only a strong and technologically equipped presence in the region can put an end to the insurgents’ renewed onslaught.
The Senate adopted the recommendations of the motion via a voice vote, led by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau.