Senate Urges Military to Reinforce North-East as Boko Haram Launches Renewed Attacks

The Nigerian Senate has called for an urgent redeployment of troops and advanced military equipment to Borno and Yobe States following a fresh wave of deadly attacks by Boko Haram insurgents.

This decisive resolution was passed during Tuesday’s plenary session, following a motion by Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno, who painted a grim picture of escalating violence in the North-East.

Monguno revealed that more than a dozen soldiers were killed in a surprise ambush in Marte, a town in Monguno Local Government Area (LGA), with another coordinated attack hitting Gajiram, the headquarters of Nganzai LGA, just hours later.

“A few years ago, Boko Haram held two-thirds of Borno’s LGAS,” Monguno reminded lawmakers. “But due to the tireless efforts of our military and the civilian joint task force, peace was gradually restored. However, the situation is deteriorating again.”

He noted that after the military regained control in the North-East, tactical operations were shifted to the North-West to combat rampant banditry and kidnappings — a move that may have left the North-East vulnerable.

Highlighting the insurgents’ new tactics, Monguno warned that Boko Haram now employs advanced technology, including drones and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), posing a greater threat to both troops and civilians while crippling movement across the region.

Lending his voice to the motion, Senator Abbas Aminu of Adamawa Central insisted the crisis had spread beyond Borno and Yobe, calling for Adamawa to be included in the military’s renewed strategy.

“We lose between six to ten people daily in Adamawa. The resurgence is real and deadly,” Aminu lamented.

Following a robust debate, the Senate unanimously called on the military high command to deploy more personnel to the North-East and provide them with modern combat tools capable of countering the insurgents’ evolving tactics.

Additionally, the Senate directed its committees on the army and air force to monitor the execution of the resolution closely.

Concerns over Boko Haram’s growing technological capability were echoed last week in the House of Representatives. Ahmed Jaha, representing Damboa/Gwoza/Chibok federal constituency, disclosed that the insurgents have been using drones to attack communities in Borno, outmatching the Nigerian military in some instances.