Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has raised serious allegations that some Nigerian politicians and military officials are secretly aiding Boko Haram insurgents.
During a Wednesday appearance on Breakfast Central, a News Central talk show, Zulum said these internal collaborators are undermining efforts to end terrorism in the region.
The governor emphasised the urgent need to enhance intelligence operations to expose and deal with such saboteurs.
“There are people within our political system, security forces, and communities providing intelligence to Boko Haram,” Zulum said.
“We must intensify surveillance and crack down hard on those aiding terror.”
He also criticised the overdependence on awarding security contracts, arguing that such practices often delay or derail meaningful progress in combating insurgency.
Zulum noted that while a few of the former Boko Haram fighters who surrendered may not be fully rehabilitated, the overwhelming majority have disengaged from terrorism.
He advocated for a dual strategy—military action complemented by socio-political interventions.
“You can’t end insurgency with weapons alone,” he said. “We must address root causes such as poverty, marginalisation, and political grievances.”
Although he acknowledged that a small fraction of the over 500,000 reintegrated fighters might relapse, he maintained that the initiative is broadly successful.
He expressed concern over the military’s outdated equipment, stating that insurgents often have access to superior technology.
Despite the challenges, Zulum praised the military’s support in non-combat initiatives and urged President Bola Tinubu to prioritise ground-level intelligence over political rhetoric.
“We need leaders who can separate facts from politics. The President should act on sound advice and not be misled by political posturing,” he added.